The Hawkhurst Saga

The Hawkhurst Saga

A Midwinter Sellsword

Gladiators & Thieves

Ashes to Ashes

Joshua Robertson

COPYRIGHT © 2016 BY Joshua Robertson

Published by Crimson Edge Press, LLC

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2016

ISBN-10: 098637458X

ISBN-13: 978-0-9863745-8-6

Cover art by Winter Bayne.

Dedication

To those who cross their fingers and hope to fly.

Table of Contents

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thrice Nine Legends Saga

The Blood of Dragons by Joshua Robertson & J.C. Boyd

ANAERFELL*

HESHAYOL*

The Kaelandur Series by Joshua Robertson

MELKORKA*

DYNDAER*

MAHARIA*

Other Thrice Nine Legends Saga by Joshua Robertson & J.C. Boyd

STRONG ARMED*

WHEN BLOOD FALLS*

THE NAME OF DEATH*

WARDEN OF THE ASH TREE*

THE HIGHBORN LONGWALKER*

DEATH AT DUSK**

Additional Works

Legacy Series by Joshua Robertson & J.C. Boyd

BLOOD AND BILE*

THE HAWKHURST SAGA*

GRIMSDALR*

THE PRINCE’S PARISH*

JACK SPRATT*

*Published by Crimson Edge

**Forthcoming by Crimson Edge

The Hawkhurst Saga

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A Midwinter Sellsword

Gladiators & Thieves

Ashes to Ashes

Joshua Robertson

Chapter 1

Argus pulled the handkerchief up until it covered his nose. He could only hope that no one would recognize him. Folks had a knack for knowing a man’s bloodline based on the shape of his nose. He had gone to great lengths to grow the red beard and shave his scalp, but he could not adjust his absurdly twisted, hooked nose.

He cursed his father for tormenting him with this nose.

Argus glanced sideways at Astrid Lancaster, his so-called ransom, who strutted next to him like she was leading him and not the other way around. This was not the first time Argus had kidnapped a noble lass and traded her off, but he had never known one who pottered in magic. Keeping up with the pretense that he did not believe she could turn him inside out with a twist of her wrist made him tense. The sooner he was done with her, the better.

You won’t need your handkerchief here, Mr. Gunther. They say that Hawkhurst is much warmer than the cities built on the surface. She grinned with perfectly placed, white teeth. "I never thought I would be here. There are many things to be learned. We are among the Sevilinyth."

Argus fixated his gaze on the cobblestone to prevent himself from rolling his eyes. The surface-humans, the Kedewin, were not so different from the Sevilinyth living underground. The two human races were simply separated by their geography and culture. Anything said otherwise was hearsay and hogwash.

She stretched her arms over her head, bending the elbow faintly, and let out a woman’s sigh. From the corner of his eye, he noticed her eyes fluttering at him when she spoke. More importantly, we are beyond the hoarfrost and I can sleep in a warm bed tonight.

He snorted, stomping the snow from his boots cumbersomely. The woman had to recognize that he was old enough to be her father. He guessed that her flirtatious behavior was unintentional and a result of her young age.

I might even find someone who can hold a conversation, she cooed.

He grunted. Don’t hold your breath. No one in this town is worth talking to.

Don’t be a sourpuss, Mr. Gunther. We will get the money owed to Mr. Kern and then you can return me to my father’s estate. After that, you can...do whatever it is that you do. How about we visit the bank in the morning? She hummed at the end of her question, raising the hair on the back of his neck.

Yes. He muttered. It was the only thing he could possibly say with the hopes of putting an end to her chattering. Argus had lied to Astrid so many times in the past two months, he barely remembered telling her that acquiring a loan from the City Bank would pay her father’s gambling debt.

Astrid clicked her tongue. He really did mess up this time, didn’t he? My brother warned me that his love for money would cause me trouble. Though, I never thought I would be bartered off to settle his dues. Anyway, this loan will make things right.

Argus made a sound to show he was listening. Yet, his mind was somewhere else.

I suppose that you have been here before, then? Astrid giggled. I suppose Hawkhurst would be a hard place to avoid in your line of work.

Argus took a deep breath. She liked to tease him for being a sellsword, as though it made him a second-class citizen. I have.

I did not hear you, Darling.

He glanced up briefly to view the spiraling towers that scraped against the ceiling of the subterranean city, deep within the side of the mountain. Memories jumbled his mind at the sight, one voice screaming a name louder than the rest. It was a name he had tried to forget.

Haakan Madrin.

Yes, Lass, he said, pushing the name out of his mind. I have been here before.

Then you know of a place where we could stay?

Argus grimaced under his handkerchief. I know a place.

A nearby guard yelled near the gate behind him and Astrid. Move along! Move along! By the order of King Moors, move along to the interior. No drifters in Upper City. Squatters will be jailed at nightfall!

Astrid dismissed the guard. Is it close?

Argus turned to see the man in plate mail shouting at the migrators who flooded through the gates behind them. The humans above ground, the Kedewin, were running from a civil war. Argus had been surprised when he heard that the people of Hawkhurst had given sanctum to the hundreds of refugees. It was not typical behavior for the Sevilinyth to show kindness, especially in response to pandemonium.

Mr. Gunther, is the place you know close to here?

Nothing in Hawkhurst is close, Argus said. His words were honest. The city was built in layers, from top to bottom, from rich to poor, from free man to slave. It would take several hours to walk from one end to the other.

"Then we have plenty of time to talk. Maybe you could tell me of the Eadfel. My friends and I speak about it often in Galoroth."

Argus scratched his bald head. It was hard for him to believe she had any friends as much as she talked.

I’d rather walk in silence.

Indulge me, Mr. Gunther.

Argus swallowed, feeling as though he were at the mercy of a spoiled brat who had never had a good spanking. It was difficult to simply argue with such a person without cutting out their tongue.

Unfortunately, killing her was not part of the plan. He yielded. "The Eadfel is the name for the political estrangement or interrelation that occurs between the leading families in the city."

Any simpleton could tell me that. Is it not a game?

Argus winced. If games end in poverty, slavery, or death, then yes—it is a game.

Astrid crooned, a bounce in her step, It sounds horridly delightful.

Says a person who has never been poor, hungry, or subjugated. 

Oh? Astrid said. Argus could not believe that the smile stayed painted on her face. She had definitely been raised in a noble house. Do you speak from personal experience or speculation, Mr. Gunther?

Fully armored guards with steel on their backs and belts—much like the ones that stood at the gate—passed by them on the road. He suddenly realized that more guards huddled in alleyways, flooded the streets, and dawdled about the nearby buildings. Paranoia crept down his spine. They watched for something—him.

Haakan Madrin.

His inner voice repeated the name again, causing him to shudder. He swore that he could feel the scars from old wounds begin to ache on his chest and back.

Argus?

Argus took another breath.

He scrunched his face, his mustache rubbing against his shagged beard. He hated the facial hair, but it was the best disguise he could muster with such short notice. It doesn’t matter.

It does matter. Astrid tightened her pint-sized nose. I must know if your argument comes from a place of emotion or reason. 

I am not arguing, Argus said.

Astrid opened her mouth to speak, but was drowned out by the voice in Argus’s head.

Haakan Madrin.

Shut up! Argus bellowed at his own trailing mind before realizing he had screamed the words out loud.

The shock on Astrid’s face was priceless, but Argus did not have time to relish in it. He was more concerned about the people who were suddenly staring at him.

He adjusted the handkerchief and picked up his pace.

The woman stopped smiling and matched his footfalls. Her features remained serene with the exception of her eyes. They were as cold as death. That is not any way to speak to a person, Mr. Gunther.

Argus maintained a scowl. He almost forgot he was speaking to a mage. Let us do each other a favor then and stop speaking all together.

Astrid didn’t hesitate. Mr. Kern will hear of this when his money is delivered.

Argus’s jaw tensed at the mention of his employer’s name. Astrid was like most nobles. She liked to talk—and threaten—like she knew how the day was going to unfold. The woman had no idea what Argus had arranged with Landon Kern. She would be singing something different by the end of the day. More importantly, he would be rid of her soon enough.

Argus rubbed his fingers together softly to prevent himself from pulling at his handkerchief once more. His Uncle Peter had once told him to ‘keep a woman satisfied in all things except authority.’

She did not say another word