Description
Forged in Fire – Katherine Cook
Secrets of Socendor 3
Braen Vondrasek must face the destruction he has wrought. His only hope to save his people—indeed, all of Socendor—is to join forces with his half-brother, General Kalen Ysindroc.
With Socendor’s fate hanging in the balance, Kalen must learn how to harness the magic flowing through his cursed veins. But time has run out, and their numbers are too few. As dragons darken the skies, love and loyalty must win the day… or darkness will reign forever.
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EXCERPT:
Light from the fire danced across the stone, distorting the shadows of their group. Some of the people spoke in hushed tones, while others slept. They’d been in the cavern for a few days now. Thankfully, the hunters had found enough small denizens of the caves to keep up with the demand for food, and the women supplied plenty of water thanks to an underground fresh spring. The few children with the group didn’t let the situation dampen their spirits, though the adults had to remind them on occasion to keep their voices down in volume lest larger creatures took an interest.
Braen Vondrasek had felt several gazes on him throughout their stay here, but his hands were tied. He needed the Dragonblade, but the sword could only be wielded by someone with more strength than he possessed, which was why their entire party waited for his brother. Braen prayed Kalen could be reasoned with. He knew nothing about his brother beyond the fact they shared a father and that Kalen was the general who led Akuron’s army.
“We had to go deeper to find anything this time.”
Braen sighed and nodded. “I can’t leave.”
Renir leaned back against the cave wall beside Braen. “I know. Have you had anymore visions about your brother?”
“No, but I know he’s coming.”
“And do you think he will help you?”
Braen wanted to say yes, but he honestly had no idea. Kalen could just as easily slaughter them all. Koleri were generally smaller in stature, and the only fighters in this little group of theirs were himself, Elia, and Renir. It would be easy enough to kill everyone and leave their bodies to the cave’s inhabitants. Braen prayed to every god who would listen that Kalen wasn’t the type to strike first and ask questions later.
“I have to believe he will,” he said. “I know you and Elia are determined to remain with me, but these people can’t stay here much longer, especially the children.” He looked at his friend, immediately noting Renir’s expression. “Please hear me out. Take the people back to the surface, at least to one of the shallow caverns. You and the hunters can find prey more easily. I can’t risk these people’s lives anymore, Renir.”
Renir sighed. “If your brother has even the slightest bit of your stubbornness—”
“Braen,” Elia said, interrupting Renir as she approached them. “One of the children heard voices while he was exploring.”
Braen cursed under his breath and stood. “I told them to not venture out of this cavern.”
He and Renir joined Elia, and they headed in the direction the child had been playing. The boy’s mother knelt beside the child, quietly scolding him. She looked up at Braen.
“I’m sorry, your… I mean, Braen,” she said. “I told him not to leave my sight.”
“It’s all right,” Braen said. He crouched, putting himself at the boy’s level. “What did you hear?”
The child sniffled, his eyes watery with tears due to his mother’s admonishments. “Men,” he said. “One of them said words I don’t know.”
Braen nodded. “It might have been elvish.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “An elf?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean they are friendly,” Braen said. He turned his attention to the boy’s mother. “Return to the group and stay there. Elia will make sure everyone is safe.”
As soon as the boy and his mother left with Elia to go back to the fire, Braen stood and faced the tunnel the child had been exploring. Renir stepped up beside him.
“I have no idea how this will play out. My visions don’t always occur as they appear in my head. Give me your bow and cloak. Help Elia get the people hidden.”
“Braen—”
Braen turned to Renir. “Please don’t argue with me, Renir. I will be fine, but I can’t focus on my brother and his men if my thoughts are on keeping everyone else safe.”
Renir nodded. “As you wish.”
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