Battle

Windfire (as always) was right. Another Ansgar army attempted to march through the Pass two nights ago. The fighting was bitter. The Boadhagh archers with their flaming arrows stopped the tree-like soldiers from crossing into the kingdom. The fires started among the enemy troops caused panic and confusion in their ranks.

Windfire and I rode among those who remained. Deathsong set many afire. And others I smote with the sword's edge.

Yet, even after such a loss, they came at us again the next day. The only thing I have ever seen an Ansgarian fear is being set on fire. Even with the possibility of that, their ranks marched towards us again.

How can you fight such courage and hope to win? I wonder sometimes.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novels, Grayrider, new book releases, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

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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'Tis Odd

I sat today in the keep of King Airell's castle sharpening Deathsong. Most of the servants around me avoided coming anywhere close. I cannot blame them. But the green glow of the blade makes men nervous to be around it.

I could have ordered the castle smithy to do sharpen it, perhaps. But again, fear of the long sword would have made the edge far less than adequate. 'Tis odd, but I can withdraw Deathsong from its sheath to be sharpened without fear of someone dying. The blade seems to know that it must have such an edge to kill.

'Tis another reason I fear Deathsong. It truly seems to be live and think sometimes.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novels, Grayrider, new book releases, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

A Hard Day

It was a hard day yesterday. Between Deathsong and Windfire, many of the Ansgarian soldiers were set afire. My black warhorse trampled numerous other members of tree-like encampment. But the Ansgarian warriors have no fear. They fought hard against our intrusion into their camp.

Part of the Long Riders intercepted reinforcements coming to them. It was a bitter fight. Their leader told me after nightfall his own losses were high.

The camp is still there and have more replacements for those they lost. Another hard day is before us today, I fear.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novels, Grayrider, new book releases, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

No Chance to Rest

We fought against the oncoming Ansgarian army all day yesterday. Windfire set many of the tree-like soldiers aflame as I hacked and slashed them. When Deathsong gets close to an enemy, it no longer erupts with blue-white energy. It seems to know its blade must do the work.

And work it did yesterday. Cutting through both leather armor and their own bark is trying. I must use more strength to penetrate both. Between our efforts and those of the Long Riders, the assault was halted--at least for the moment. They have a small encampment on the Boadhagh side of the border. And it will be from there that they will attack again.

Once more I must use Deathsong this day to push them to retreat. I only hope I have the strength.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novels, Grayrider, new book releases, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

A Grim Fight

We fought until Deathsong could find no more Ansgarians to burn. Fire slew many. Darkness prevented further battle. But I have no doubt the tree-like soldiers will attack again before dawn on the morrow.

The Long Riders attacked the right flank of their column late in the day. That gave Windfire and I a chance to rest briefly. And for that I am thankful. I cannot write more, for I am exhausted.

I know not if we won or even stopped their advance. I am so very tired.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novels, Grayrider, new book releases, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

Sometimes

Sometimes having a sword which seems to have a mind of its own is terrifying. Deathsong lashes out to kill many times for no reason I can understand. So I have started pointing its tip at an enemy yards away. The long sword seems to understand what I want and a crackling blue-white light emerges to set an Ansgarian soldier aflame.

Still, the blade's power and lust for death took time to grow used to. I am so thankful my father constantly reminded me as a boy of what Deathsong would do when unsheathed. His warnings prepared me for the night I first used it to seek revenge for the murder of my parents and the entire court of Rivalin.

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.

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

King Airell

Those who murdered my parents told me the Ansgarian army would invade the kingdom the next day. The threat of using Deathsong on them was their motivation.

I am not my ancestor, King Ahearn. I felt it best to flee Rivalin. King Airell, the monarch of Boadhagh on Rivalin's southern border, took me in. The last three years I have used Deathsong to stop the Ansgarians from sweeping through his kingdom as they did my father's.

King Airell is a good king and was a great warrior in days past. I have heard many stories of his exploits when he wore armor. His friendship has meant much to me.

But I worry about him. His daughter, Deirdre, left Boadhagh it seems without explanation several years ago. That broke his heart. He speaks of her sometimes with great longing. I hope someday, for his sake, she will return.

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

Deathsong

There are times I do not know if I love my sword or hate it. Its power terrifies me sometimes. It lusts to take life and seems to draw strength from doing that. It seems to have a mind of its own when I am in battle on occasion.

I remember my father taking me to the armory as a child. He opened a seldom-touched chest in a far corner. He showed me the worn leather scabbard that held Deathsong. He also showed me the ancient runes on the guard of the weapon. I did not know how to read them, so my father told me their meaning: "Whosoever wields this sword wields the curse of death. For if none is taken, yours shall be the sacrifice."

I can never draw Deathsong without taking a life. If I fail to do this, I shall be slain by the blade. So I am always extremely careful when I take out the sword.

My father told me time and again "Take heed with how you wield Deathsong, my son. For this sword must one day be used to destroy the sorceress Morrigan."

Morrigan is a legend. I doubt she exists. The Ansgarian warriors I fight are not human--unlike those soldiers she controlled a thousand years ago. My ancestor King Ahearn fought her army with Deathsong and won. And she disappeared.

Deathsong makes the Ansgarians far easier to fight. But, alas, the blade still scares me.

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