Winter Warrior (Song of the Aura, Book Two) (29 page)

Karmidigan:
A prodigiously powerful Reethe Frost Strider

Kell:
A silverguard of Ymeer, who accompanies Gribly and Lauro on their journey to the Inkwell. Presumably killed in a Sea Demon attack.

Larion Vale:
King of Vastion, the last surviving kingdom in Vast.

Lauro Vale:
Prince of Vastion, and Gribly’s uneasy friend. He is seemingly on the run from his own father.

Legion, The:
Nine Archdemons bound in the underworld of Kerbus at the beginning of time. They were once Aura, but became corrupted with pride in their own power. They wished to rule the world, and were banished for it.

Lithric:
The nymph cleric of Mythigrad.

M’tant, The:
A mysterious tribe of Wood Nymphs residing in the Blackwood, Northeast of the Grymclaw.

Marmat:
A silverguard of Ymeer, who accompanies Gribly and Lauro on their journey to the Inkwell. Presumably killed in a Sea Demon attack.

Murie:
A Vastic Ranger stationed in Ymeer. Called “Old Murie” by most of the inhabitants, she disguised herself as a gypsy to blend in, allowing her to care for and protect Gribly as he grew older and learned to use his gift.

Old Pickpocket, The:
A former thief and black market trader specializing in strong drink. He is crippled from the waist down.

Reethe, The:
The northernmost of the three Sea Nymph tribes. Their Second Form resembles the icy snow they inhabit. It is stronger than the Second Form of the Treele, and most often used in combat or in the harsh winter storms that often lash the Inkwell.

Roko Smallword:
Head Cook in Vastion’s capital city.

Shele:
A mysterious woman living in the underbelly of Ymeer. Her brother Crutus pressured her to put her martial skills to use in the fight pits, which she reluctantly agreed to. Her recent losses have put the freedom of her only daughter at risk. She goes by the alias “Shadow.”

Steamclaw:
A pit draik of Blast. Called
Nebulekef
in the Nymphtongue.

Traveller:
One of the many names taken by the Gray Aura. Commonly called
Viator
among the Sea Nymphs of the Inkwell.

Treele, The:
The easternmost of the three Sea Nymph tribes. Their Second Form is watery and translucent, much like the waves they commonly inhabit.

Varstis:
Raitharch of Mythigrad, Lord of the Sanquegrad, King of the Reethe. He is a nymph of more than respectable reputation, though there are rumors he had dealt with pirates in his youth.

Wanderwillow:
The commonly used name for the Brown Aura, who is rumored to reside in the Grymclaw.

Windfellow:
A falconhorse under the service of Traveller, the Gray Aura.
Wendfilo
in the nymphtongue.

Ymorio Highfast:
Dunelord of Ymeer. Ruthless, intelligent and handsome, Ymorio kept himself in power far longer than any previous Dunelord; partially due to his more than competent Sand Striding abilities.

STRIDING the ELEMENTS in
SONG OF THE AURA

In the land of Vast, it is commonly held that the physical world consists of Five Elements. Three are of the World, and Two are of the Otherworld. The three World Elements are
Sea, Sky,
and
Stone.
The two Otherworld Elements are
Spirit
and
Pit
.

Occasionally, a man or nymph will be born with the ability to manipulate part of an Element. Such a being is known as a
Strider
, and their ability is reffered to as
Striding
. Most Striders are born with the ability to Stride only part of a World Element. This ability usually manifests itself sometime in early adolescence.

The precepts and limits of Striding an Otherworld Element are unknown; however, it is generally accepted among scholarly circles that the so-called sorcerers and magicians are really just common men and women who have discovered some aspect of Pit Striding. The power of cleric “prayers” is sometimes attributed to Spirit Striding.

In ancient times, Striders could manipulate an entire World Element, and sometimes even combine their power with some part of an Otherworld Element. The abilities of Striding have genetically decreased over time, however, and Striding an entire element is now unheard of.

At the time of the events recorded in the
Song of the Aura
, some of the aforementioned facts have begun to be disputed. It is even prophesied by some of the less orthodox clerics in Vastion and beyond that there will soon arise those capable of surpassing even the most talented Striders of the past. Whether or not this is true remains to be seen…

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS for
SONG OF THE AURA

Well, this book has been a journey. It began as a short book, which became a long book, which became another short book, which became a
very
long book, which was split into three parts. Eventually it was decided to be a nine-part series… and then, even that changed. What you’re reading is one of what is now six parts, and I have several special people to thank for helping it get to the point it's at.

Firstly, I thank God. He's given me my talent, and He's swept me off my feet with what He can do.

Secondly, through God, I've had the grace to work with some amazing people, who I'd like to thank individually.

My mom: for doing an incredible job refining and pruning my story to a readable point.

My brother: for being the first reader and the first fan.

Nathanael: for reading through and pointing out the dumb mistakes that slip by me constantly.

Thirdly, I thank the teen writing workshop members from the spring program at my library: they don't know it, but without them the character of Gribly would never have been invented... and there would have been no story to tell.

Lastly, I thank all the people and groups who gave me support and fellowship on the path of writing: my friends, my family, my heroes, my helpers. We're Striders together, all of us…

ABOUT the AUTHOR and the BOOK

I’m
the author of several novels, including the standalone Arthurian novel
Mordred
, as well as the
Song of the Aura
series. Having grown up reading the likes of Tolkien, Jacques, Lewis, and Jordan, it was only a matter of time before my imagination grew too explosive to contain, and one day it spilled out onto paper as the first lines of my first story.

As far as my life goes, I like all sorts of fantasy games, movies, and books. I’m a soccer player, a wannabe musician, and an active Catholic. I was homeschooled for most of my life, allowing me to finish my first novel by age 16. By 17, I’d written four. Into college and beyond, I hope to continue writing novels that both inspire and enlighten you, the reader… just make sure to have fun while you’re at it, OK?

I hope you've enjoyed this book- but whether you liked it or hated it, I value your opinion. Reviews are hugely appreciated. Thank you, and May the great Creator of the world send His Aura to protect you!

To visit my blog, go to
www.epicbloggjd.blogspot.com
.

To become a fan of the
Song of the Aura
series, go to
www.facebook.com/songoftheaura
.

To become a fan of
Mordred
, go to
www.facebook.com/Excather
.

BOOKS by GREGORY J. DOWNS

SONG OF THE AURA

Brother Thief

Winter Warrior

Grym Prophet

Golden Tide

Dire Sparks

Storm Kings

THE EXCATHER CYCLE

Mordred

Book Two, coming late 2012

SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS

Dreams of Steel

STANDALONE FANTASY

Ghostwalker, coming Summer 2012

PREVIEW OF

-THE SONG OF THE AURA-

BOOK THREE

-GRYM PROPHET-

   
…From the smooth white floorboards beneath his bed, Lauro produced a tough gray satchel and slung it over his shoulder, then bent down and brought out an extra pillow and heavy blanket. With these he soon created a passable imitation of a prone body, which he stuffed under his sheets and covered with the lip of another blanket. As good a decoy as could be made.

   
Straightening, Lauro headed for the door with a grin on his face, taking care not to make sounds that could wake Gribly. Time for another quest- and
this
time, he would not fail.

   
Two more stops, and he’d be free.

   
Sliding down dark, frosty hallways and quietly descending drafty staircases, the prince was soon at his first destination: the Reethe armory.

   
“Wind Strider?” the guard’s voice was curious but unafraid as Lauro approached from down the wide, frostrock hallway.

   
“Hail, Patnel,” the prince answered, bowing slightly. “Sleep escapes me tonight. How goes your watch?” He had spent a large amount of his time befriending this and other members of the fortress guard who dwelt in the Sanquegrad, all in preparation for this one night. Now his efforts would pay off, if he kept his head.