The Last Steward Read online

  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

  Anyia Shallowgold – Sister of the Rollvear Coven; of Westlandian descent, lives in the Green Lands, Sister responsible for Brate Hightower, raised by Brynn

  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

  Gerard Redstone – son of Matias Redstone, brother of Adella Redstone, follower of Graissa del’Blyth, has a perfect memory, of unknown descent

  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.