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    Snowraven
    Snowraven
    Snowraven
    Ebook87 pages1 hour

    Snowraven

    By Stephen D. Sullivan

    ()

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    About this ebook

    It is a time of chaos. The First Wizard War has shattered the land, transforming the World-Sea forever. In the aftermath of the conflict, the rule of law means nothing, and evil raiders ravage the countryside -- killing any who stand in their way. Their victims are too numerous to count, and only a few dare oppose them. Katyana Ravenlocks and her mother are two such brave souls. They've lost everything in the war -- except each other -- yet, they refuse to give in to despair or bend a knee to evil.

    Now, though, the warrior women face a challenge more dangerous, a trap more deadly, than any they've encountered before. The decisions they make this day will forever change the course of their lives ... and history itself. And from these ashes, a legendary hero will arise: Snowraven.

    "Snowraven" is an action-packed fantasy detailing the birth of the title character and setting the stage for many adventures to come. Taking place during the First Wizard War, the tale also fills in vital backstory for many other Blue Kingdoms epics.

    Includes Story Notes and previews of other stories.

    Stephen D. Sullivan is the author of more than 30 novels and numerous short stories. He has twice won the Origins Award for his fantasy fiction.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStephen D. Sullivan
    Release dateJan 24, 2011
    ISBN9781465809957
    Snowraven
    Author

    Stephen D. Sullivan

    Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate.Not sure where to start? Try these:NEW! Manos: Talons of FateBEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner)HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju AttackFANTASY: Tournament of Death novelsSCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & RustADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars)OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other TalesThere are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.)Browse! Buy! Enjoy!

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      Book preview

      Snowraven - Stephen D. Sullivan

      SNOWRAVEN

      ~ A Blue Kingdoms Story ~

      Stephen D. Sullivan

      • Walkabout Publishing •

      Smashwords edition.

      © 2011 Stephen D. Sullivan

      This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. (I’m a real person trying to make a living, not some faceless mega-corporation!)

      *

      Walkabout Publishing

      S.D.Studios

      P.O.Box 151

      Kansasville, WI 53139

      www.walkaboutpublishing.com

      All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.

      Special thanks to Kiff, Edward, Jean, & Paul, as usual.

      Cover art & design © 2010-11 Stephen D. Sullivan.

      Get a free wallpaper of this story at www.stephendsullivan.com!

      *

      CONTENTS

      SNOWRAVEN

      Prologue

      1. Raven’s Warning

      2. Katyana’s Choice

      3. The Dog Master

      4. A World of Pain

      5. The Dogs of War

      Epilogue

      Samples of Other Stories

      Forever Crimson

      Sisters in Arms

      The Blood-Red Isle

      Monster Shark

      About the Story

      About the Author

      Alternate/Original Cover

      * * *

      SNOWRAVEN

      Stephen D. Sullivan

      Prologue

      Lightning ripped the sky as factions of god-like wizards battled, shattering the world and rebuilding it, time and again, to their own liking. For the millions caught in the confrontation’s backlash, the war seemed like the end of everything.

      On the Azure Sea, towering waves crashed through the hole in the Ransom’s side, quickly flooding the ship’s lower compartments. The Ransom’s crew scrambled across her splintered decks, heaving longboats overboard and clambering to safety. They either didn’t hear—or chose to ignore—the cries of the slaves drowning in the hold.

      Yanna of the Wind Raven tribe slipped the chains from her wrists as the water surged up around her hips. She was only seven years old, and the shackles had never fit very tightly. A week of near-starvation during their passage had made Yanna just thin enough to squeeze out of her bonds.

      Mother! Father! Sister! she screamed, but the roar of the waves and peals of thunder obliterated her words. The cold, salty water pouring through the breach stung her eyes and made her cough. The chaos and darkness made it difficult to see more than an arm’s-length in front of her. The weeks of bondage since her tribe had been kidnapped from their lands had been terrible, but this was even worse. Yanna’s heart pounded, and tears streamed down her face, mingling with the sea spray, as she pushed through the swirling currents, searching for her family.

      Yanna! Her mother’s cry echoed above the crash of the sea and the screams of the dying. Yanna! Her father’s voice, as well. She spotted them in a flash of lightning, clinging to the bulkhead near a maw-like break in the ship’s hull. The Ransom had been snapped nearly in half.

      Yanna heaved herself through brine and the darkness to them. Where’s Shadi?

      Pain twisted her father’s face. She’s gone! He held up his hands, as if pleading with the Great Spirit for mercy. Her mother did the same, and Yanna realized that both her parents still wore their shackles. They could not escape the sinking ship!

      Mother! Father! Yanna seized their chains and pulled with all her might. The links were rusty, but they neither broke nor tore loose from the bulkhead. She looked at her parents, her dark eyes pleading with them to do something—anything. Eddies swirled around Yanna’s shoulders, threatening to drag her deeper into the hold and drown her amid the debris and corpses.

      She slipped and almost went under, but her father’s strong hands pulled her to the surface.

      Go! he said, thrusting Yanna toward the breach in the hull.

      Go, my Little Raven! her mother implored. Save yourself!

      Yanna shook her head, and sea foam spattered from her long black hair. I can’t! She threw herself back into the imagined safety of her mother’s arms.

      You must! her mother insisted. She embraced the girl one last time, her fingers lovingly tracing the raven mark on Yanna’s exposed shoulder. The symbol of their people blazed under her mother’s touch, despite the chill of the water.

      You are the last of our tribe! her father added, pushing Yanna toward the breach once more. You must survive! Be brave, my little warrior!

      Yanna tried to protest, but a wave slapped her in the face, choking off her words.

      Then, suddenly, another surge propelled her through the gap and into the open ocean. She floundered, reaching for the ship, but the swell ripped her away. She watched helplessly as the waves dragged the wreck to the bottom of the Azure Sea, taking her parents—and the life she had cherished—along with them.

      1. Raven’s Warning

      A lone raven circled lazily in the gray, late-autumn sky. The bird looked as though it was searching for something, but what that might be, Katyana Ravenlocks couldn’t discern. Her tribe—her people from her life before, when she was merely Yanna—thought that every appearance by a raven carried some portent for the future. "Reading

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