The Last Steward
Part 3 of the Steward Saga
Table of Contents
Title Page
By Janelle Garrett
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Epilogue
By Janelle Garrett
This is a work of fiction. The characters and events described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or to living persons alive or dead. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without prior written permission of the publisher except for brief quotations embodied in critical reviews.
Copyrighted 2018 by Janelle Garrett
Cover art: Jill Purrazzi
Cover design: Susie Poole
Editor: Bob Putman
For my community group: David and Julie, Dave and Donella, Allie the Quiet One, Bob and Leslie, Josh and Rachel, Mom and Dad. You guys keep me sane.
Previous books by this author
Rift in the Deep: Part 1 of the Steward Saga
The Tale of Briton’s Fury: A Steward Saga Novella on Amazon as an eBook
Free for subscribers to the author’s mailing list
The Survival Guide for Nursing Students: short, quick read for those considering nursing school, or already in a program.
Justice: A Steward Saga Short Story Collection: available in eBook, print, and free with Kindle Unlimited
Character List – Alphabetical
A
Almond – blind guard of Kyla, of Westlandian descent
Amaris Voltaire – Queen of the Green Lands, married to King Polbine Voltaire, mother to Brita Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Anniston Numataka – The White Mother, Mother of the Hidden Coven; of Westlandian descent
Arinbjorn Car’abel – The Flatland King; of Greigan descent, lives in the Bright Lands, leader of the royal Car’abel clan
Aryol Xavier – Mother of the Southwest Coven, of Westlandian descent
Asher – landworker in Meadow Grove, followed Brate Hightower to the Forest City, of Westlandian descent, brother to Reuben, killed by Polbine Voltaire
Athena – sister of Clyfe Fleetfoot, murdered at the age of 2 by the Finders
B
Blaine Predence – daughter of Lord Valen Predence, sister of Claudio Predence, rape victim, of Westlandian descent
Boll Car’abel – true oldest son of Arinbjorn Car’abel, of Greigan descent
Boyd – Icepowder dealer, owner of a brothel in the Forest City, former friend of Polbine Voltaire and Ezra Carp, of Westlandian descent
Brady – Honor Guard to D’nie Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Branson de’Gauis – right-hand warlock to Polbine Voltaire, former sweetheart of Graissa del’Blyth, of Midlandian descent
Brate Hightower – the Bender, of Westlandian descent, grandson of Ma
Brita Voltaire – daughter of King Polbine Votaire and Amaris Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Briton the Brown – the first warlock to champion using the Deep for violence, went mad and killed himself and many others, including the first Warlock Council, descent unknown (see The Tale of Briton;’s Fury for his story)
Broad – Leader of the Webmasters, of Jin’tai descent
Brri Car’abel – brother and counselor of Arinbjorn Car’abel, of Greigan descent
Bruil de’Gauis – father of Branson de’Gauis
Bryony Bracewood – Sister of the Rollvear Coven, sister to Helen Bracewood, of Westlandian descent
Brynn – mother to Isa, innkeeper of the Garden Stop, raised Anyia Shallowgold, of Westlandian descent
C
Calliope Bray – Mother of the Northern Coven, of Westlandian descent, friend of Cresslaide Persimmon
Callum Car’abel – false daughter of Arinbjorn Car’abel, plotted to place her brother Priva Car’abel on the Stone Throne
Carlton Conway – disgraced former Lord of Meadow Grove, of Westlandian descent
Clast – Honor Guard of D’nie Voltaire
Claudio Predence – Lord of the Predence Estates, son of Valen Predence, brother of Blain Predence, of Westlandian descent
Clyfe Fleetfoot – Jattalian warrior, brother of Athena
Cliff Marker – Elder Brother of the Highland Library, of Jin’tai descent
Constance Rei’cain – Mother of the Rollvear Coven, former slave in the Bright Lands, of unknown descent
Colin Redstone – ancestor of Matias Redstone, Gerard Redstone, and Adella Redstone, of unknown descent (see The Tale of Briton’s Fury for his story)
Cranson – follower of Isa, of unknown descent
Cresslaide Persimmon – former Benefactress of the Sisterhood, of Westlandian descent
D
Delstana del’Barron – wife of Rypen del’Barron
Dirk Car’vali – leader of the clan Vali, of Greigan descent
D’nie Voltaire – cousin to Polbine Voltaire, emissary to the Bleak Continent, true heir to the Triumphant Throne, of Westlandian descent
Draper Car’clay – innkeeper, only remaining clansman of the Clay clan, hosts the Car’abel siblings to plot against Arinbjorn Car’abel, of Greigan descent
E
Eli Car’vali – son of Dirk Car’vali, marries a false daughter of Arinbjorn Car’abel, of Greigan descent
Ezra Carp – warlock, cousin of Polbine Voltaire, former sellblade to the Governor
Edith Rei’cain – daughter of Constance Rei’cain, killed by the Triumphant King
Edna Rei’cain - daughter of Constance Rei’cain, killed by the Triumphant King
Emelia Rosamond – Mother of the Border Coven, of Midlandian descent
Evan Courtland – Blademaster for Polbine Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
F
Feral – follower of Isa
Finnon Car’xeal – son of Grayfin Car’xeal, of Greigan descent
Fletcher – follower of Isa
Forde – General of the Midlandian army, member of the Broken Lands Council, of Midlandian descent
Forstran Pallow – landworker in Meadow Grove, follower of Brate Hightower, killed by the Triumphant King
Frale Nightswallow – Sister of the Rollvear Coven, of Greigan/Westlandian descent
Franc del’Niope – Member of the Broken Lands Council, of Midlandian descent
Friana del’Blyth – wife of Kole del’Blyth, mother of Graissa del’Blyth and Natashia del’Blyth. Lover to Rypen del’Barron, of Midlandian descent
Froth – Commander in the Jattalian army, of
Jattalian descent
G
Garron Steep Crawler – best friend of Malok Mountain Keeper, of Jin’tai descent
Gavel – young son of Yael, father was killed by Clyfe Fleetfoot
Gillum Castlelong – forgemaster of Meadow Grove, follower of Brate Hightower, of Westlandian descent
Gisella de’Fairland – Sister of the Rollvear Coven, Sister responsible for Priva Car’abel, of Midlandian descent
The Governor – crimelord waiting for the Seer, killed by Malok Mountain Keeper, wife’s name was Jasmine
Graissa del’Blyth – the Reader, daughter of Kole del’Blyth and Friana del’Blyth, sister of Natashia del’Blyth, of Midlandian descent
Grayfin Car’xeal – leader of the clan Xeal, allowed the Jattalians into Crowning, killed by Priva Car’abel, father of Finnon Car’xeal, of Greigan descent
Grike – Jattalian warrior, of Jattalian descent
Grrale Car’abel – false son of Arinbjorn Car’abel, of Greigan descent
H
Hallie – Sister of the Rollvear Coven, lifekey was taken by Polbine Voltaire, of unknown descent
Harris Braith – Lord in the Green Lands, father of Amaris Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Helen Bracewood – Sister of the Far East Coven, sister to Bryony Bracewood, Sister responsible for Graissa del’Blyth, rediscovered shielding, of Westlandian descent
Hux Car’abel – true son to Arinbjorn Car’abel, plots to overthrow him, of Greigan descent
Holden – a Webmaster, of Jin’tai descent
The Hooded – a powerful warrior accessor, of Jattalian descent, killed by Priva Car’abel
I
Isa – a powerful warlock, the Last Steward, of unknown descent
Isaksam – Honor Guard to D’nie Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Ivan – Honor Guard to D’nie Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
J
Jasper Car’abel – true son to Arinbjorn Car’abel, Inheritor of the Stone Throne, of Greigan descent
Jocelyn – Sister of the Rollvear Coven, lifekey taken by Polbine Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Jonas – carriage driver for Graissa del’Blyth, of unknown descent
Jorkin del’Grayson – Member of the Broken Lands Council, enemy of Kole del’Blyth, of Midlandian descent
Josslea Car’abel – newest wife of Arinbjorn Car’abel, plotted against him, of Raizani descent
Jule – former Garden Mool for Kole del’Blyth, given his freedom and helped start the uprising in Vale
Julia Carstran – Recorder to Melinda Dor’stala, killed on the way to the Forest City in place of Anyia Shallowgold, of Westlandian descent
Juliette Car’abel – true daughter to Arinbjorn Car’abel, plotted to overthrow him, of Greigan descent
Justice Ma’allard – Mother of the Wandering Coven, legendary bladewielder, of Greigan descent (see Justice: A Steward Saga story)
K
Kendall Car’faal – true daughter to Arinbjorn Car’abel, plotted to overthrow him, of Greigan descent
Kole del’Blyth – wealthiest man in the Midlands, father of Graissa del’Blyth and Natashia del’Blyth, husband of Friana del’Blyth, member of the Broken Lands Council, of Midlandian descent, frees his Mools and joins the uprising in Vale.
Kreen – concubine to Polbine Voltaire, of Jattalian descent
Kyla – most well-informed spy in the Lands, particularly in Polbine Voltaire’s palace, of unknown descent
L
Light Ream – Elder Brother of a Library, of Jin’tai descent
Lightray – a commander in the Jattalian army
Lillian – Sister of the Northern Coven, taken by Polbine Voltaire and freed by Brate Hightower, of Westlandian descent
Lock Brownstone – a drake in Meadow Grove, follower of Brate Hightower, killed by Polbine Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
M
Ma – grandmother of Brate Hightower, deceased, of Westlandian descent
Ma Gorgetrek – villager of Meadow Grove, of Wesltandian descent
Malok Mountain Keeper – the Seer, best friend of Garron Steep Crawler, of Jin’tai descent
March Wood – Elder Brother of a Library, of Jin’tai descent
Matias Redstone (The Rook) – father of Gerard Redstone and Adella Redstone, Keeper of Grole’s House, of unknown descent
Melinda Dor’stala – Mother of the Oaks Coven, of Westlandian descent
Moriah – former Scullery Mool, follower and friend of Graissa del’Blyth
Myra – Sister of no Coven, Sister responsible for Malok Mountain Keeper, of Jin’tai/Westlandian descent
N
Natashia del’Blyth – sister to Graissa del’Blyth, daughter of Kole del’Blyth and Friana del’Blyth, of Midlandian descent.
Nigel – Bladeweilder, of Greigan descent
Nyle Car’abel – favored first wife of Arinbjorn Car’abel, of Greigan descent
O
Olive Car’abel – false daughter of Arinbjorn Car’abel, plotted to overthrow him, of Greigan descent
Oliver – Elder Brother of a Library, of Jin’ta descent
P
Pale – High Finder, killed by Priva Car’abel, of Greigan descent
Paola – Sister of the Rollvear Coven, captured by the Triumphant King and rescued by Brate Hightower, of Westlandian descent
Perion – Bladewielder, of Greigan descent
Polbine Voltaire – the Triumphant King, the Warlock King, of Westlandian descent
Price – started the uprising in Vale, of Midlandian descent
Priva Car’abel – the Sensor, son of Arinbjorn Car’abel, Bladewielder, of Greigan descent
Q
R
Rayford (Rafe) Blackship – close friend of Polbine Voltaire, warden for Brita Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Reuben – brother to Asher, follower of Brate Hightower, killed by Polbine Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Rool – twin Honor Guard to Arinbjorn Car’abel
Ross – twin Honor Guard to Arinbjorn Car’abel
S
Samseen – Jattalian warrior
Stain – Webmaster, of Jin’tai descent
Sherry Goldstar – Mother of the Southern Coven, of Raizani descent
T
Taneka Moylan – Mother of the Broken Coven, of Midlandian/Westlandian descent
Tatiana Kellen – Recorded for Anniston Numataka, of unknown descent
Tiger – follower of Isa
Time Dancer – Elder Brother of the Lowlands Library, of Jin’tai descent
Tree Top – Elder Brother of a Library, of Jin’tai descent
Truman – secretary to Polbine Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
U
Uttred del’Waile – member of the Broken Lands Council, of Midlandian descent
Ungold – General of the Triumphant King’s army, of Westlandian descent
V
Valen Predence – former Lord, killed by Polbine Voltaire, of Westlandian descent
Vernstice – Constable in Vale, of Midlandian descent
Victoria Stanroad – Mother of the Far East Coven, of Westlandian descent
Vicine – former Mother of the Rollvear Coven, deceased, of Westlandian descent
Vivian del’Grafford – Sister of the Hidden Coven, advisor to Graissa del’Blyth, of Midlandian descent
W
Whyet Joshwah – cutter in the Forest City, of Raizani descent
Winston – knight in the Triumphant King’s army, of Westlandian descent
X
Y
Yael – widower, has a young son Gavel, slave to Clyfe Fleetfoot, of Greigan descent
Z
Prologue
Captive to the shores of blue
Forging paths of righteous truth
Hither standing
tall and strong
Jattalian pride, our brother’s song
The rowers strained as Commander Froth’s melody echoed in the silence, nary above a whisper. The lilting timbre of his voice spurred Clyfe to continue, casting his mind to their mission. One more heaving row. And then another. Followed by another. It seemed endless as the sixteen-manned vessel, with no sail, sliced through the Passage Sea along the coast of the Bright Lands. The night was pitch black, save for the moonlight overhead. The larger warship was up the coast, out of sight and moving slow. The reinforcements, if they were needed.
“Silence your oars!” The harsh, whispered command followed the end of the song. Clyfe lifted his oar, reaching under him to retrieve the black woven cover to slip over the oar’s blade. It was a relief to take a rest, if even for a few seconds.
“Row!”
He dipped the blade into the sea, moving as one with the other thirteen warriors. Muscles taut, Clyfe kept his breathing light and silent. Deep, even inhale, low, even exhale. Again, and again, and again. The longship sliced through the waters, the land passing by on their left at dizzying speeds. Heart hammering, pulse racing, head spinning, Clyfe forced himself to focus.
Keep his head down. Follow the feel of the sea. Keep his mind on the mission.
It couldn’t be much further now. The small coastal town of Sparrt didn’t know what was coming. If all worked according to plan, they would be sleeping on beds of hay tonight. A welcome relief from the cramped quarters of the warship. Clyfe smiled, envisioning victory in battle, the spoils of war at his fingertips, and sleep. Dreams to stir his blood and settle the tension racing through his body.
“Jattalian pride.” The low, collected voice that echoed behind Clyfe seemed reflective as opposed to invigorant. Seated at the prow, engulfed in a black cloak that covered him, the Hooded sat in calm poise. “Brace yourselves, warriors.”
The warning made Clyfe’s heart race faster. It was time.
“Portside turn!” The commander’s order was followed by immediate obedience. Clyfe shoved the oar’s blade deep into the sea as the starboard crew raised their dripping paddles. The longship banked left, and behind them, the command passed down to the other longships following.
The waves pushed them toward the shore. On the banks shimmered the flickering lights of a watchtower, and then, the bell rang throughout the night. They had been spotted.