Lore of Reaume Excerpt: A Dank Castle

 

Let us play with the snakes. Lovely little creatures. They do not judge.

~ Tattle

 

Luvanor

Atrin Continent

Valla Castle

THE DANK CASTLE on the edge of a lake was deserted of guards, retainers and caretakers. It was not, however, empty; there were birds, snakes, bats and insects the size of a man’s fist, all of whom reclaimed what they regarded as their territory. Bat droppings stank up the place, feathers hung suspended from thick spider webs. Squeals of newborn chicks, mostly raptors, echoed through the dark, empty halls and passageways. Brightly coloured, dangerous snakes slithered out to find warmth according to their biological instincts and rats skittered away at the sight, fearing to become dinner. In a short time, the jungle and its creatures had retaken the stone habitat.

It was not habitable and Krikian wrinkled his nose. “You are not serious.”

“Perfect,” Lowen uttered, while looking around nervously.

“We will clear a section,” Torrullin said. “And it is perfect. Nobody comes here.”

He led them up dark, slippery stairs to find the chambers the Valla women and children used when in residence. They were now in Grinwallin. The chambers were cleaner, if marginally. Yet he was dismayed. It was not right to leave Krikian in these conditions; it was akin to punishment. Whatever haste determined, it was not this.

“It will be light soon. We clean up and then rest.”

“Agreed,” Krikian said, dropping his load.

“You are delaying,” Lowen accused.

“I would not leave my worst enemy in this hellhole. And we need a full night’s sleep. We get this place habitable in daylight, and then we go.”

She had an ancient carpetbag with her, and she set it down with great care. “Fine.”

From the realms of prophecy and reincarnation to the reality of Warlocks, Witches and Darak Ors, from dreams to the scrying bowl, from thrones to forest clearings, the Reaume series journeys through, and finely weaves, fact and fantasy. This epic Sci-Fi/Fantasy Omnibus Edition includes The Kallanon Scales, The Nemisin Star, The Sleeper Sword and The Dreamer Stones.

 A city of stone is created to obscure an abyss able to swallow worlds, and is discovered in a place forbidden to all. An ancient map leads them there and it changes the future. Lore of Reaume exposes ancient kingdoms and shadowy spheres of influence.

 While objects of power come forth to manipulate and threaten, among them the Dragon Taliesman, the mighty Valleur Throne, the swords called Lumin, Catharsis and Nemesis, the true connection is the Maghdim Medaillon, a magical device thought forever lost. Realms entwine when slim fingers one day finds the golden coin hidden in a sterile desert.

 One man strides through all Lore. Torrullin is the Pathfinder, Keeper of the Dragon, the ultimate architect and elixir of life. He is a walker through realms, a wandered through time and harbinger of change. He is Lifegiver and Destroyer. Beware the Pathfinder … and know he is not alone. Torrullin prepares for the ultimate future.

LORE OF REAUME