Bone War by Steven Harper

Author:Steven Harper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2016-06-22T17:53:31+00:00

* * *

Danr had not visited the royal caverns the last time he had come under the mountain. They were a series of tunnels dug through the rock that wormed in a thousand directions. Each was polished smooth and overlaid with marble and granite, often shot with veins of gold or silver. Mosaics of precious stones showed scenes from ancient stories—Bosha and Kalina warring with the Fae, trickster Tikk in the shape of a fly landing on Grick’s vulva as Brinna and Fell were born and adding himself to the Nine, Urko being split in half as a punishment and living partially in Glumenhame and partially in Lumenhame. The stones refracted the luminescent light of the ever-present mushrooms, amplifying it and brightening the caves without hurting sensitive trollish eyes. They passed sumptuous rooms with intricately carved stone furniture and even some of precious wood. A great kitchen bustled with a dozen trolls and gave off strange smells that nevertheless made Danr’s mouth water. Torth led them past this room before the huge cooks noticed them and left them in a small side chamber, though small was a relative term—the room would have housed three human families comfortably.

Torth said, “Wait here. Brother.” He left.

“How long does he intend to do that?” Aisa asked.

“Oh, leave it alone. Sister,” Kalessa put in while Slynd explored the room.

“I am only teasing.” Aisa put her hand into the crook of Danr’s arm. “I am glad the two of you have decided to get along. And it will make one part of the Garden that much less of a tangle.”

A moment later, Queen Vesha strode into the room. She towered over everyone there, including the wyrms, but she wore an elaborate dress of night blue velvet embroidered with gold thread. Like with all trolls, her jaw jutted forward, showing plenty of teeth, and she wore her dark hair in a long, thick series of braids wrapped around her head. Torth came behind her, wearing a more straightforward tunic and thick trousers. Both trolls were barefoot—Danr had never met a Stane who went shod except into battle. Vesha went straight to Danr and hoisted him off the floor in a tight embrace. Danr’s breath rushed out of him and his ribs creaked.

“Nephew!” she grumbled in his ear. “It’s been too long! And Aisa!”

Aisa stepped back out of hugging range. “I would rather not be crushed,” she said, “pleased as I am to see you, Highness.”

Vesha set Danr down. “And Torth tells me you brought friends from the orcs. Hail, good Kin.”

Kalessa dipped her head. “Hail, Queen of Trolls.”

“Extraordinary,” Vesha murmured. “If I hadn’t heard of it already from Torth, I’d be shocked. An orc with the power of the shape! The old stories are coming true again.”

“And trolls are allying with humans in Skyford and the city of Balsia, I see,” Aisa said. “I never thought to see that day.”

“Isn’t it wonderful?” Vesha said. “The new earl in Skyford gets along with the Stane very well, and so does young Prince Karsten.

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