Warlords Ascending Read online

  Published by Raconteur House

  Murfreesboro, TN

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  WARLORDS ASCENDING

  Book Two of Warlords

  An Advent Mage Novel #8

  A Raconteur House book/ published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Raconteur House mass-market edition/ June 2018

  Copyright © 2018 by Honor Raconteur

  Cover © 2018 by Katie Griffin

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  Purchase only authorized editions.

  www.raconteurhouse.com

  Other books by Honor Raconteur

  Published by Raconteur House

  THE ADVENT MAGE CYCLE

  Book One: Jaunten

  Book Two: Magus

  Book Three: Advent

  Book Four: Balancer

  ADVENT MAGE NOVELS

  Advent Mage Compendium

  The Dragon’s Mage

  The Lost Mage

  Warlords Rising

  Warlords Ascending

  Warlords Reigning*

  THE ARTIFACTOR SERIES

  The Child Prince

  The Dreamer’s Curse

  The Scofflaw Magician

  The Canard Case

  THE CASE FILES OF HENRI DAVENFORTH

  Magic and the Shinigami Detective

  DEEPWOODS SAGA

  Deepwoods

  Blackstone

  Fallen Ward

  Origins

  FAMILIAR AND THE MAGE

  The Human Familiar

  The Void Mage

  GÆLDERCRÆFT FORCES

  Call to Quarters

  KINGMAKERS

  Arrows of Change

  Arrows of Promise

  Arrows of Revolution

  KINGSLAYER

  Kingslayer

  Sovran at War

  SINGLE TITLES

  Special Forces 01

  The Midnight Quest

  *Upcoming

  People assumed that because Shad was a soldier, he knew how to follow orders. And naturally, because of his reputation as a Super Soldier, he must excel at them. Right?

  Aletha nearly laughed up a lung every time she heard that.

  Shad never appreciated his wife more than at this moment as he snuck out of Strae Academy in the wee hours of the morning. As a soldier herself, she understood orders. She also understood when to ignore those orders. Garth had told Shad to stay put, but Shad’s heart and instincts couldn’t abide the thought. His little girl was in the middle of a desert land known for violence and a carelessness with life that made his blood run cold. He absolutely could not leave her there. Hundred dragons or no hundred dragons, he needed to make sure she was alright.

  So he left. Was tricking a student into thinking he was on a secret mission a nice thing to do? Likely not. Shad ruthlessly did it anyway, letting the young Elemental Mage build him a skinny bridge for him to run across. He hopped off that, waved a cheerful goodbye to her, and hoped that Garth wouldn’t tear a strip off her hide when he put all the pieces together.

  A few hundred steps down the road, something moved on his back. Shad came up short, startled at first, then resigned as the obvious hit him. Sliding a strap off his shoulder, he slung the pack around and opened it to find a very smug, white cat curled up in the top. “Now when did you get in there?”

  Tail licked a paw and groomed his right ear, not deigning to reply.

  “I suppose it was silly of me to think that I could go to Becca without you tailing me.” He thought about dissuading the cat, as there would be no supply of anti-aging potions where they were going, but Tail knew this. Knew it and chose to go anyway. Well, a short time away from the potions wouldn’t kill him. Shaking his head at himself, Shad offered a hand, which the Jaunten cat took, using it to climb up comfortably on Shad’s shoulder. “Alright, Tail, let’s go find our girl.”

  The cat gave a purr of agreement, the sound vibrating through Shad’s skin.

  Boat to shore, then he bought a horse, heading straight into Ascalon. He needed preparations and a dragoo, and the only person who could help him was Xiaolang.

  For two days, Shad had rehearsed what to say to his friend and former captain, the argument that would make Xiaolang help him instead of tie him up and ship him back to Garth.

  To his complete lack of surprise, Xiaolang met him at the gates of the city, sitting astride a dragoo with an air of extreme patience. Knowing very well that Xiaolang, as an empath, could read him like an open book, Shad met him with a reckless grin and casual salute. “Hail, friend!”

  “Hail, you idiot,” Xiaolang responded dryly, blue eyes twinkling. “You got here in good time. I actually didn’t expect you for another two hours or so.”

  “Ah, well, you know. Traveling light is always faster.”

  “That it is.” Acting as if they had all the time in the world, Xiaolang leaned forward on the pommel of his saddle. “How fares your beautiful wife?”

  “Six months along and thriving. I’m assured that the baby is fine too, and believe me, we have very anxious Life Mages gathering around her like a herd of mother cats. If the baby so much as twitches, she gets examined.” Shad personally laid odds on Aletha’s temper snapping at some point and her sending everyone rolling in the near future. His wife did not handle being coddled well. “And how is your brood doing?”

  “Also thriving. A little too well, actually, I feel like I’m constantly chasing someone before they can get into trouble.” Xiaolang lifted a single brow. “Speaking of….”

  Shad upped his grin a notch. “I know I’m in trouble with Garth, don’t worry. In her defense, Parmalysian had no idea what I was doing when she helped me over.”

  “Oh, Garth knew you’d snookered her into it, he didn’t blame her.” The way Xiaolang said this promised that allll of the blame would rest solely on Shad’s shoulders. “I only have one question for you. Do you plan to haul the Problem Children back?”

  Shad squared his shoulders and let his grin drop. With only a little reluctance, he answered, “No.”

  Xiaolang searched his face for a moment, and probably on some level, Shad’s emotions as well. Then he nodded and swung out of the saddle, drawing the reins over the dragoo’s head and extending them to Shad. “This is Gen. His saddlebags are stocked with a week’s worth of food and water. Tent and two spare outfits are packed on top. Map and reports of everything I know, which includes the intelligence reports of this morning, are in the top right bag.”

  Wait. What? “Xiaolang. You’re just handing me supplies?”

  The Ascalonian Captain gave him an enigmatic smile that Shad had come to know and dread. “You need to go. None of us can stop those three, we don’t have a leg to stand on considering what we were doing at their ages, and I frankly agree with them. Someone had to step in and fix the mess that is Khobunter. As long as you don’t intend to bring them back, why should I stop you?”

  Neither of them said the obvious, that Shad was the only one that could go and help. Garth and Xiaolang both, with their positions in their respective countries, couldn’t go into Khobunter without implicating their rulers. Shad was one of the few with the right expertise and political neutrality to head into a foreign war. Relieved that he didn’t have to arg
ue the point, Shad swung off his own horse and exchanged reins. “Hug Asla and the kids for me.”

  “I will,” Xiaolang promised. “Shad, one thing.”

  Pausing with a foot in the stirrup, he looked at his friend. “What?”

  “Well, two things, actually. There’s something that has…changed.” From the way that Xiaolang struggled to form the words, he himself didn’t clearly understand what it was. “I caught this flash when talking with Garth. All I got was the sense that Becca’s future has changed.”

  The words swirled in Shad’s head and then stilled, forming a picture. A picture he might not like. “You’re saying what, exactly? That by going into Khobunter, the path she was supposed to walk has altered?”

  “Yes, I think that’s precisely it.” Xiaolang gave him a shrug, a helpless motion. “I might be wrong, but that’s what I saw.”

  “Great Guardians, but I’m not sure I wanted to know that. Alright, what’s the second thing?”

  “Ascalon is becoming…anxious.” The way Xiaolang said this made it sound like the biggest understatement of the century. “They’re not sure what to make of three teenage mages that are conquering a country with brute force. Osmar and Warwick are just as concerned. It would behoove those three to reach out, send a message to the respective leaders that states their intentions. Maybe do a few peace talks.”

  Shad rubbed his head and gave a grunt. “Diplomacy. Not a bad thing. I’ll let Nolan handle that, he’s the best trained for it. Anything else?”

  Shaking his head, Xiaolang denied, “That’s it, for now. When you do find them, send me word so I know where to send updated reports to. I think those three will gladly accept your help, but remember, you’re not dealing with your little sister and two rambunctious teenage boys anymore. You’re facing two warlords and a prince who have fought very hard to achieve that position.”

  Shad let himself slump against the dragoo’s side for a moment, eyes closed, just breathing in the scent of leather and warm, reptilian skin. “Where are they now?”

  “Alred Watchtower, according to our last report.”

  “It takes, what, a week of riding to get up there?”

  “More or less,” Xiaolang confirmed. “You might make it before they move on.”

  Letting out a sigh, Shad forced himself upright again and swung smoothly into the saddle. “Maybe by the time I get up there, the idea will settle in my head a little.”

  Xiaolang’s expression was sympathetic and not unamused. “Good luck?”

  Grunting, Shad gave him a salute. “I’m going to need it.”

  The Gardener extended a hand, beckoning them to her.

  Nervous and shaking, Becca, Trev’nor, and Nolan obeyed that silent summons and walked forward. For all of their sakes, she hoped they would be told they could stay in Khobunter.

  If not, she might be the first person in history to ever argue with a Gardener.

  The Gardener smiled at Dunixan and made a staying motion with one hand. He blinked, startled, and pointed a finger at his chest. “Me?”

  She smiled, inclined her head, then turned and walked toward the mages.

  Becca watched this interaction with a speeding heartbeat. The Gardener intended to talk to him next? Just who was this man?!

  The Gardener motioned for both boys to kneel down, which they promptly did, although they looked close to fainting any second. Becca remembered, belatedly, that this was actually the first time they’d seen a Gardener in person. Hearing stories about it did not have the same impact as a living, breathing version right in front of your eyes.

  She took their hands, one in each of hers, and stared at them steadily. Becca waited, not very patiently, at their sides. When two full minutes elapsed, she prompted, “What is she saying?”

  “This is our task,” Trev’nor managed, voice strained. “Khobunter is our task.”

  Becca felt like the ground tilted under her. “Whaaaa?”

  “The reason why we had to be awakened early as mages, why we needed to be friends, all of it was preparation for coming in and changing Khobunter,” Nolan clarified, still steadily staring back at the Gardener. “Nothing less than rock-solid friendship would carry us through this.”

  The Gardener reached up and patted them both on their heads, exactly like a doting grandmother would do, which set the boys to blushing. Becca didn’t need a translation on this one as it was obvious they had been praised for their actions so far.

  Letting go, the Gardener released them and turned to Becca, holding out a hand.

  Slowly, Becca sank down to one knee and accepted that hand, feeling unbelievably nervous about what would be said next. She knew, after all, that when a Gardener spoke to you, your life would be turned topsy-turvy afterwards.

  “Riicbeccan,” she greeted, voice cool and calm like a mountain spring. “Our Balancer. You have worked very hard the past few years and overcome much. We are proud of you.”

  Becca felt her eyes fill up with tears. To be told this by the beings that took care of this world meant more than she could ever express.

  “When we awakened you as a mage, we wished for you to change the deserts back into what they were meant to be. We thought you would do so from Strae, as you have little need to travel. We did not expect you to take on the responsibility of this land, as your friends have done, but we are exceedingly glad that you have. The road ahead of you will be hard and dangerous but your life will become all the richer for traveling it. Do you wish for this place to become your home?”

  “I do,” she responded shakily. “Can I stay here?”

  “It was not our original intention, but you have earned the right to say where you plant your heart. If you wish this land to be yours, then we will make the changes necessary for it to be so.”

  What she had just been told was huge. Becca struggled to both breathe and think, as doing both while under a Gardener’s influence was something of a struggle. “Once I change the deserts back, will my task be over?”

  “No. What you have been given to do will take your lifetime. You are our Balancer until you are put in your grave. Likewise, your children and grandchildren will take up this role. A garden cannot be ignored for any length of time before reverting.”

  Of course, if you stopped watering a plant, it would whither. Consistent watering would be necessary to keep a land healthy and green. This made perfect sense to her. “I understand.”

  “Yes, I feel that you do. You are not alone here. We have awakened others to help in this. You have met some of them.”

  Really?! Who?!

  “We have others who are coming even now to help you. Do not lose heart, or courage. Keep walking on your path.” With her free hand, she patted both of theirs before releasing her and walking away.

  Becca sat there, heart trying to thump its way out of her chest, watching as the Gardener calmly walked straight to Dunixan and motioned him to get down. His guards did not like the proximity of this strange creature near their warlord—in fact one of them had a weapon out and at the ready. Dunixan had to wave them back, gesturing for them to stand down, before they attacked.

  The warlord knew very, very little about Gardeners, but even he seemed to feel the raw power of the being in front of him. Or at least her authority. He knelt, somewhat hesitantly, then started when she took up his hand. Becca was a little far away to see every nuance of his expression but watching his mouth drop open gave her a perverse satisfaction. Wasn’t so unflappable now, was he?

  “A Gardener is talking to a warlord,” Trev’nor stated, having regained some of his balance and voice. “What’s wrong with this picture?”

  “The only reason a Gardener talks to anyone is to give them a task or to help verify that they’re on task.” Nolan pointed at him, finger shaking a little. “That man has to be trustworthy. She wouldn’t be talking to him otherwise.”

  “I guess that answers his question of an alliance.” Trev’nor let his head fall back, breathing deeply before asking,
“Becca? What did she say?”

  “She said that I wasn’t supposed to be in Khobunter.” Seeing their looks of alarm, she hastily added, “That’s not a bad thing. She said it wasn’t in their expectations, but they were proud of me coming here and taking on the responsibility of fixing the country. So she said that if I wanted to stay here, I could, and they’d make the necessary adjustments.”

  “What adjustments?” Nolan asked, still a little alarmed.

  “I should have asked that,” Becca groaned, belatedly realizing her mistake. “I got the impression that I wasn’t supposed to leave Strae, as it wasn’t necessary for me to travel and do my work. So me living here has a ripple effect? Somehow?”

  Nolan scrubbed his hands over his face several times. “I have the feeling we’re going to be analyzing this conversation for the next few months. At least. She say anything else?”

  “That there were people awakened to do this task too, and that we’ve already met some of them.” Who, she would dearly love to know, although she had a few suspicions.

  “Who?”

  “She didn’t tell me. She did say others were coming even now to help us. So more help on the way, yay?”

  Trev’nor grumbled under his breath, “Garth is right. Talking to a Gardener leaves you mostly frustrated and second-guessing everything.”

  Becca was more interested to hear everything the boys had learned. “Was that all she said to you? That Khobunter was your task?”

  “No, she also assured us that she had told Garth we were doing our task and he wasn’t to interrupt us.”

  Now that must have been quite the conversation. Becca was extremely sorry to have missed it.

  While they talked, Danyal sprinted out of the city, several other soldiers with him. He almost stumbled when he caught sight of the Gardener, studying her in bewilderment. “What…is that?”