Relic of the Dead Read online

  Copyright ©2019 H.G. Chambers

  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.

  First Printing, 2019

  Editing: Jane Tucker

  Cover Design: www.vividcovers.com

  https://hgchambers.com

  Books by H.G. Chambers

  The Aeternum Chronicles

  Recreance (Book 1)

  Vigilance (Book 2)

  Defiance (Book 3)

  Windwalker Series

  Windwalker: Forbidden Flight

  Windwalker: Relic of the Dead

  Contents

  Prologue

  The Valley

  Divided

  Disappear

  Strangers in the night

  The Chase

  Bug Berries

  The Place Between

  Home, or Something Like It

  Roast Mudclaw

  The Spire Caves

  On the Heels of Death

  The Scepter of Tanzih

  East

  Shadowbats

  The Mire

  The Forest’s Edge

  Night Flowers

  Yatha

  What Once Was Lost

  Fate, Destiny, and Death

  Reconciliation

  Epilogue

  Extras

  Meet the Author

  Introducing

  Acknowledgements

  Newsletter

  Glossary

  Prologue

  Less than a month has passed since the dreaded Sharun, once thought to exist only in legend, rose from the sand to strike at the heart of the Sahra’ civilization. The people have not forgotten the brave acts of a young girl named Kivanya Fariq and her kiraeen, Noor, whose early warning and tenacious fighting kept Madina Basin from being buried in a tomb of sand and stone.

  Since the attack, Sahra’ battle sects have stepped up recruitment efforts, scheduled regular patrols, and have even begun working together to repel the Sharun threat, which has shown no signs of slowing.

  Within the basin, social structures that have been in place for centuries are slowly beginning to shift. Because of Kiva, her mother Ismaela Fariq, the weavers’ circle and the hard work of supporters, the ruling council now has equal male and female representation. It has also been declared that sister sects will be created to mirror the battle sects of the men. Progress has been slow, however, as there are still those who vehemently oppose the notion.

  The bond between Kiva and Noor grows stronger by the day as they learn and benefit from the intimate and powerful connection between them. Noor has yet to understand Kiva’s other relationships—especially those with men. Since the Sharun attack, there has been little time for Kiva and Jonah to spend together outside of training, and the strain on their relationship is beginning to show.

  As a new day rises in Madina Basin, the fight for equality is far from over, the Sharun threat grows even more dangerous, and Kiva struggles to strike a balance between her training, her duties, and the personal relationships in her life.

  The Valley

  Quiet! You’re going to draw their attention, Kiva scolded.

  Let it be drawn then, Noor snapped. I’m tired of hiding like a frightened sand hare.

  Despite her protestations, Noor remained crouched and unmoving.

  It’s just until we have the advantage, Kiva sent the thought to Noor. Even now, the shadestalkers are moving into position.

  Lying flat on her belly against the rock, Kiva shifted slightly, daring to raise her head above the ridge to get a better look at the desert valley below. It was a sheer drop, hundreds of feet down to the sandy floor. Behind Kiva, Noor was crouched low, resting on the angled joints at the leading edges of her broad, black-feathered wings. She snapped her beak, and Kiva turned with an admonishing glare. The kiraeen met her level gaze, long tail whipping back and forth along the ground.

  Behave, Kiva warned. None of the others are complaining. She glanced back at the two additional windwalkers, lying low beside their crouched kiraeen.

  Males, Noor spat, as if that explained everything.

  Kiva turned her attention back to the long valley, where a column of seventy-three sharun warriors, four to five abreast, were shambling their way through.

  Ever since the attack on Madina Basin, the sharun had been cropping up everywhere. Kiva was unsure whether they simply wandered the Miralaja looking for Sahra’ to kill, or if they had some greater collective purpose. Either way, they’d become an ever-present danger.

  Even from high above, Kiva could make out the twisted, animalistic masks and armor they wore. So far she’d counted fifteen varieties, though she was unable to discern any difference beyond appearance. They moved like soldiers weary from sun-sickness, but she knew from experience how they would instantly stir into a frenzy at the smell of blood.

  If not for Noor’s battle lust surging across the bond into Kiva’s mind, she’d have been trembling like a leaf. Sharun warriors fought and killed without remorse or hesitation. They possessed inhuman strength, experienced no pain, and could survive wounds that would kill even the strongest Sahra’ warrior. Cut off a limb, and it simply grew back. Cut off their heads and they’d be down for a time, but unless the crystals of their eyes were destroyed, they’d rise up once more as if nothing had happened.

  Fortunately, the newly risen threat had galvanized the people of the basin. Sects that once worked alone were now coordinating to protect their home. Because of this, the windwalkers would not be facing the current threat alone. Across the valley on another ridge to the north was a war party of shadestalkers—the Sahra’s most elite battle sect, trained in secret to strike at the sharun with unyielding force and needle-point precision. Lying in wait among them, was Kiva’s brother, Mica.

  Kiva’s muscles twitched in anticipation. It had been early morning when she first spotted the sharun from Noor’s back, high above. Being too large a force to take by themselves, she and Noor had sped back to Madina Basin for support. By the time they’d devised a plan with the shadestalkers and traveled to this place, the sun was well on its journey westward.

  The sharun slowly continued down the sandy desert valley, their grunts and growls echoing off its rocky walls. The wait was nearly over.

  A flicker in her peripheral drew her attention.

  What is it? Noor asked.

  I thought I saw something at the end of the column. Probably just a mirage from the heat…Get ready.

  Kiva’s grip on the spear lying beside her tightened as the sharun continued moving, oblivious to the trap awaiting them.

  One of the shadestalkers on the opposite ridge raised his fist.

  Kiva’s heart thudded audibly, sending vibrations through her entire body. She and Noor had dispatched several small parties of three or four sharun warriors, but this was by far the biggest group she’d come across since the attack on Madina Basin.

  She turned to the two windwalkers behind her and raised her eyebrows. They nodded, and Kiva raised her fist into the sky, signaling their readiness. She felt Noor’s consciousness, coiled and compressed like a spring, ready to burst.

  So far, everything was going according to plan. By attacking the sharun column from the sides, they would divide their enemy’s forces into smaller, more manageable groups. From there, they would be isolated and killed well before they reached the basin.

  The shadestalker across the valley d
rew his fist down, and Kiva did the same. She sprung to her feet, and leapt from the sheer ridge into open air, arms and legs spread wide. In seconds Noor was streaking down toward her. The two had grown fully attuned to each other, both knowing what the other would do before she did it.

  Wind whipped violently at Kiva’s clothing as she fell, yet her vision was undisturbed—a welcome benefit of the bond she’d forged with Noor. Sensing her approach, Kiva positioned herself to grasp the kiraeen’s harness. In the next instant, Noor’s dark form appeared below, matching Kiva’s descent. With spear in hand, the windwalker settled onto Noor’s back, and braced for the force of pulling up from the dive.

  You are aware that you lack the feathers for flight? Noor asked.

  That’s why I have you, Kiva answered with an impish grin.

  A quick glance back up the ridge revealed the other windwalkers and their kiraeen also taking flight.

  Noor shrieked a deafening battle cry as they sped toward the sharun, who were only just beginning to turn and take notice. Chills ran across Kiva’s skin at the ferocity of Noor’s cry, and she almost felt pity for the landbound sharun.

  Across the valley, the shadestalkers were spilling down over the far ridge, sprinting silently with weapons drawn.

  She and Noor began to level out, flying low over the ground at great speed. They were aimed at the very middle of the long column, intent on dividing it in two. Kiva was tucked low against Noor’s back, allowing for as much speed as possible.

  Almost, Kiva thought, watching as a few of the sharun wedged the butt of their spears in the sand, angling upward.

  Now!

  Kiva and Noor simultaneously pulled back. Thrusting Noor’s powerful legs forward. They crashed into the sharun column with incredible force. Spears snapped, and Noor’s victims went flying through the air. Their bodies exploded into clouds of sand upon impact with the far slope of the valley. Kiva made a mental note of their location—they’d be reformed in a matter of minutes if no one destroyed the small crystals that gave them life.

  Noor pumped her powerful wings, climbing skyward as the other windwalkers crashed into the column on either side of her attack, dividing it further.

  As she wheeled around for another strike, Kiva watched for the shadestalkers. The majority were colliding with the broken column, while another small group quickly sprinted to where the sharun had fallen moments ago. They drew spiked hammers—broad and flat on one side—and began crushing the sharun crystals, preventing their regeneration. Kiva swelled with pride at seeing the weapons her father had designed.

  She scanned the battle, searching for her next target, when she again noticed something strange at the rear of the column—a place where the sand seemed to shimmer and distort.

  Kiva watched with keen eyes, and it soon became clear. There was a sharun there, somehow camouflaged against the sand. It held a long staff, which it was waving in large circles overhead. At that moment, a great inverted funnel of sand began swirling up before it.

  What is it doing? Kiva asked, but the answer soon became clear.

  Sharun titan. Noor confirmed. Two of them.

  Two? Where? Kiva asked, peering ahead.

  The other end of the column.

  Kiva turned upon Noor’s back. Her chest tightened as she realized it wasn’t the sharun who were trapped, but her own people.

  The sharun with the staff, Kiva thought, it’s summoning the titans. We have to stop it!

  Noor’s wings were already tucked against her body as she dove for the target.

  Up ahead, the swirling sand coalesced into a massive form before the near-invisible sharun. In seconds it was whole—a towering creature covered in large, smooth segments. Its long tail curled up behind, as two razor-sharp claws solidified at the ends of segmented limbs on either side of its head.

  Kiva glanced back and saw another forming at the opposite end.

  Al’ama, she cursed.

  The shade before her darkened to a glossy black, and the clusters of crystals that served as its eyes began pulsing in deep purple hues.

  We cannot reach the summoner, Noor warned.

  Right, she thought. We need to protect the shadestalkers.

  She and Noor pulled into a vertical climb just as the titan’s tail flew past. It smashed into the ground, sending a cloud of sand and dust into the air.

  I have an idea, Kiva thought. She relayed the plan to Noor.

  You are sure? Noor asked…The claws…

  I am, Kiva responded, and they changed course.

  The massive scorpion was moving, heedlessly crushing its own sharun under segmented legs as it charged the shadestalkers.

  Faster, Kiva urged. Noor’s powerful wings beat against the wind.

  Below, a bloodcurdling scream was cut short by a loud clack.

  Kiva’s jaw tightened. One of her people had fallen. In that instant the thrill of combat within her was replaced by grim determination.

  Noor swooped high into the air, then gracefully arced into a dive aimed at the titan’s right flank. They had no chance of overpowering a creature so large, and thus had to rely on their considerable speed and agility.

  There was another loud clack as a pair of serrated claws snapped shut nearby, catching only air.

  Kiva braced as Noor spread her wings and thrust out her rear talons. They crash-landed onto the hardshell back of the titan, skidding several feet before coming to a stop. Kiva shook her head, and leapt off Noor’s back. The kiraeen quickly recovered and launched herself into the air. The scorpion bucked under Kiva, who lowered her body in an effort to keep her footing. She stabbed her spear down against its carapace in frustration, but the steel tip clanked harmlessly off the scorpion’s shell.

  The gigantic insect’s body steadied for a moment, its attention drawn by a flying spear from a shadestalker warrior. Kiva took full advantage of the distraction and scurried toward the head, keeping low to maintain balance. She clenched the fist of her left hand, tightening her grip on the broad steel plate fitted across her knuckles—another of her father’s innovations.

  Soon she would crush the crystals that gave it life, and reduce this monster to a pile of sand. The titan scorpion raised its claws. She would soon be in range of both, if she wasn’t already.

  Noor carved a sharp path through the air, diving toward the front of the massive arthropod. She streaked past its deadly pincers but they clacked shut empty, unable to match the kiraeen’s speed. Kiva reached the head and leapt into the air, raising her steel-plated fist. She brought it crashing down onto one of the scorpion’s eye clusters, shattering a few of the crystals embedded there.

  It hissed as the bottom half of one pincer sloughed off, turning it into a giant serrated club. The other, still whole, struck out with unexpected speed. Kiva sprung back, away from the head, hoping she was out of range. The pincer clacked shut mere inches behind her.

  Noor was again streaking down, attempting to draw the titan’s attention. A shadow passed over Kiva. She looked up to see the tip of the scorpion’s curved tail hovering directly above.

  Get ready, she thought, and Noor acknowledged.

  With the scorpion’s pincers now targeting Noor, Kiva again sprung for the head. This time she stopped dead center between the eye clusters. With both hands wrapped tightly around her spear, she stabbed it down with force repeatedly, the tip clanking harmlessly off the carapace.

  She looked up as the scorpion tail blocked out the sun, casting her in shadow.

  “Harab alan!” Kiva shouted the command for the treacherous escape maneuver.

  She leapt into the air, spreading her arms wide. Noor streaked toward her, rear legs reaching low with talons wide.

  The curving tail of the colossal scorpion descended with terrifying speed.

  Kiva flexed her shoulders as Noor’s talons closed around her biceps. She was
yanked forward, buffeted by the wind of the tail’s spiked tip rushing past.

  There was a loud crunch, as the tail smashed into the scorpion’s head where Kiva had stood. She looked back, watching as the entire creature changed from black to sandy brown. The tail began to disintegrate, spreading down to the body and legs until it was nothing more than a large pile of sand.

  Noor climbed, Kiva’s arms still held tightly in her talons. Once high enough, the kiraeen released her rider. Kiva spread her arms and legs wide, controlling her fall. Noor looped backwards, diving with great speed. She soon caught up, matching Kiva’s descent, then glided beneath her with pinpoint accuracy. Kiva once again settled onto Noor’s back, and they prepared to resume their attack.

  Kiva scanned toward the far end of the column to find the other two windwalker kiraeen harrying the scorpion as the shadestalkers assaulted its eyes. The tail had disintegrated away, and its pincers were reduced to a pair of serrated bludgeons. It appeared the remaining sharun warriors had been dispatched, though there was still the possibility of more rising.

  With the second scorpion well in hand, Kiva turned her attention to the sharun responsible for summoning the colossal beasts.

  Instead of a camouflaged figure, her eyes found a darkened whirlwind of sand, retreating away down the valley with incredible speed.

  She glanced back one last time, then urged Noor to follow.

  Noor expressed the slightest hesitation before speeding after the fleeing whirlwind. She pumped her wings, each sweep thrusting them forward with greater speed.

  We’re gaining on it, Kiva thought.

  As they sped away from the main battle, the walls of the valley changed from rocky stone to towering dunes of sand. Before long they had nearly caught up with the sharun summoner.

  Suddenly the whirlwind spun itself out, revealing a figure standing defiant atop a narrow hill of sand in the center of the valley. Unlike the other crudely masked sharun, this one bore an elaborate, black and golden jawless jackal mask, its two ears pointed back and up. Orange light from the setting sun glinted off the thin layered strips of white and gold armor on its shoulders, chest, and legs. It raised a gold staff with the head of a cobra.