Free The Rawn Chronicles Book One: The Orrinn and the Blacksword: Unabridged (The Rawn Chronicles Series 1) by P.D. Ceanneir

dozens of meanings and, if several were together in a row, they could constitute a short phrase or an epic story. This was why Skrol was so difficult to understand. It took many years for scholars and Ris to get to grips with its subtle nuances.
    The Skrol documents in the library were old, very old. Most were fragmented and encased in glass. Havoc was not surprised to find out that he could not read any of it. Therefore, he reasoned that he heard what the symbols meant on Tragenn from someone in the past. Nevertheless, it did not explain to him why the symbols were so clear, as if it was his own handwriting.
     

     
    Reports came from all of the allied contingents that actively took part in the attempt to confront Mad-daimen and his Nithi horde in a conflict, now called, the War of the Wildlands. General Plysov had achieved a brilliant tactical landing near the Duluth Row with the help of the Admiral Hurnac, who had bombarded the enemy with arrows and fireballs fired from catapults and ballistae on his ships; the assault had been enough to keep the enemy back while the general consolidated and strengthened his position.
    Sir Balaan’s Rogun Regiment of Engineers had taken hewn stone blocks from quarries in the Alniani region and built a wall behind the existing wooden one, blocking off Mad-daimen’s exit to the west. Cut off from the north by the dreaded ash banks of Dracolinth-sol, the Nithi Overlords only option was northeast into the Dragorsloth, or Dragon Marshes.
    Vallkyte intelligence gatherers would arrive at Aln-Tiss on a weekly basis, confirming reports that the rebel army was far smaller than first thought. Plysov was pushing them to the marshes, but the going was slow. His supplies were not a concern; the Vallkyte navy saw to that. Mad-daimen and his host were tenacious fighters and knew the land well. Now, nearly eighteen months since the start of the campaign, thought Vanduke as he read the reports. The rebels had to break for the marshes.
    The Rogun King took the initiative and moved his battle headquarters to the Pander Pass. All the infantry marched there some months ago and that just left the horsed knights and Men-at-arms, who would make good time covering the long distance. He left a skeleton force to guard the easily defended citadel.
    Ness Ri left with them, going in his capacity as the king’s consul, but also to record events for the Ri archives.
    The twins again sobbed their way through the goodbyes, obviously remembering their father’s departure. Vanduke hugged them all, lingering longer with the queen as she whispered in his ear. He turned to Havoc and clasped him in a warrior’s handshake for the first time.
    “I hear from your teachers that you are going to be a powerful Rawn and an excellent swordsman; look after everything while I’m away.”
    “I will, Father. May the gods go with you,” said Havoc.
    The king turned to Magnus, looked him up and down, frowning. “I hear from certain… sources that you have taken up wrestling, and that bets are on for you to beat Sir Woodel’s son, Hectur, next month. Am I right?”
    “Yes, sir.” Magnus was blushing and dragging his left foot in a circle on the ground.
    “You know I despise betting!”
    Magnus mumbled incoherently and hid his eyes behind his fringe, aware that everyone was watching him.
    “I’ve got a hundred gold sovereigns on you, so you better bloody win, boy.” Vanduke was smiling down at him.
    “Yes, sir,” said Magnus with bright enthusiasm, and everyone laughed.
    The king and Lord Rett mounted their battle steeds and prepared to ride off. Lord Rett, not one for goodbyes, gave a quick wave and turned to the princes, giving to them both a nod of farewell, aware that he lingered slightly longer than the departing cavalry. His sorrowful face showed his emotions and his eyes never left Magnus’s. The Red Duke had many mistresses, but no child of his own; many believed, in certain circles, that Magnus would inherit his