The Long War 02 - The Dark Blood
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Authors: A.J. Smith
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For Mum
SECOND CHRONICLE OF THE LONG WAR
Chapter 1: Randall of Darkwald in the Town of Voy
Chapter 2: Dalian Thief Taker in the City of Ro Weir
Chapter 3: Kale Glenwood in the City of Ro Tiris
Chapter 4: Fallon of Leith in the Ruins of Ro Hail
Chapter 5: Halla Summer Wolf in Hammerfall
Chapter 6: Alahan Teardrop Algesson in the Realm of Teardrop
Chapter 7: Tyr Nanon in the City of Canarn
Chapter 8: Randall of Darkwald in the Merchant Enclave of Cozz
Chapter 9: Dalian Thief Taker in the Merchant Enclave of Cozz
Chapter 10: Kale Glenwood in the Duchy of Arnon
Chapter 11: Fallon of Leith in the Realm of Scarlet
Chapter 1: Lady Bronwyn of Canarn in the City of South Warden
Chapter 2: Halla Summer Wolf in the Realm of Ursa
Chapter 3: Alahan Teardrop Algesson in the City of Tiergarten
Chapter 4: Randall of Darkwald in the Fell
Chapter 5: Kale Glenwood in the City of Ro Leith
Chapter 6: Fallon of Leith in the Realm of Scarlet
Chapter 7: Brother Lanry of Canarn in the City of South Warden
Chapter 8: Dalian Thief Taker in the City of Ro Leith
Chapter 9: Alahan Teardrop Algesson in the City of Tiergarten
Chapter 10: Tyr Nanon in the Fell Walk
Chapter 11: Utha the Ghost in the Fell
An Invitation from the Publisher
THE TALE OF THE DEAD GOD
The Forest Giant sat alone in his black and green halls beyond the world. His Dark Young were all dead or torpid, his Dokkalfar had betrayed him and the rampaging Ice Giant was near.
His hall, built over the nameless ages of deep time, was decaying and rotten as his power was slowly raped from him by the Fire Giant.
He waited.
The Long War had claimed more Gods and Giants than trees in his hall, and he knew his time was near.
The One had found him, Rowanoco would fight him, and Jaa would take his power, leaving him as nothing more than the memory of a once great God, a story to pass down through the coming ages of pleasure and blood.
When the end came, it was swift. Jaa had left him little with which to fight Rowanoco and the outcome was not in doubt. The God was laid low by the mighty swing of a mighty hammer and prepared for the void into which Gods disappear.
He sank into slumber.
But something happened. The God felt his power buckle and crack, but it did not break. The treacherous Fire Giant had stolen his power but not destroyed it. It was a thread of existence, but it was enough.
As strange beings called men appeared and spread across the lands, Shub-Nillurath smiled.
The assassin skulked at the back of the tavern. It was a low-rent affair, nestled against the southern wall of Ro Tiris and catering for people who had been thrown out of most other places. He
did
fit in, even if he wished that he didn’t, and no one had questioned his presence or doubted that he belonged.