Legends of Ash and Dust
(Fearless, #1)
Kate Cowan
Publisher: Self-published
Publications date: Jan. 24, 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
They forged her into a weapon. Now, she is the last.
Aerona was raised by legends. The Shae Warriors are the closest thing the Six Kingdoms have to the supernatural: fearless warrior monks who train their entire lives to protect the realm. Or, they were — until the massive Red Wolf army attacked, slaughtering them all in a single night.
Now, brokenhearted and defeated, Aero is the last Shae. Tasked with protecting Niran, the prince her people were caring for, she journeys to his home in the Golden City with one thing on her mind: revenge.
In the Palace of the Golden City, nothing is as it seems. The Red Wolves are in the pocket of the royals, the Emperor is blackmailing Aero into becoming his assassin, and an ex-Shae librarian is convinced that Aero has a long-forgotten power hidden inside of her.
On top of it all, a demon is wandering the halls of the Palace. If Aero can’t stop the demon and figure out the ancient and supernatural origins of the Shae, every life in the palace might be at stake.
There is a terrifying evil in the palace, and it’s hunting Aero down.
Excerpt…
“What is it?” I demanded. “What’s happening? Kentric, I saw fire—“
“We’re being attacked,” Kentric said. Shouts and bangs and running footfalls filled the air, filtering in through the dark window.
“What?” I started for the door, but he pulled me back to face him. “We have to go, we have to fight—“
“There are too many, Aerona. Far too many.”
“Too many? We’re Warriors.”
“Fifty of us have already been slain in the Sanctuary,” Kentric said quickly. “More at the outposts and farmhouses. There are hundreds of them, Aerona, an army. We cannot win.”
“No,” I breathed. The world had been opening before my eyes that morning: now, it felt as if it closed in from every angle, crushing me.
Taking a step back, I looked to the glowing window, listened to the screams in the distance.
“We can fight them! Drive them off,” I was pleading, tears in my eyes, but there was ice in Kentric’s gaze.
He had stopped listening. From around his neck, he pulled something on a thin black cord out of his robes. It was small and silver, glinting in the faint light from the window. The symbol of the Shae—all of the Masters wore one, a hand-forged silver pendant. A mountain overlaid with two crossed swords, surrounded by a circle of four dragons. He pushed it into my hands.
“No. I can’t,” I took a step back, looking shakily down at the heavy, cold pendant.
“There’s no time for this. Listen to me carefully,” he took my shoulders, standing so close I could feel his breath on my face. “The prince is your responsibility now. He’s in the barns, Malik told him to meet you there. Take horses and get off the Shae mountain. Get far, don’t stop moving, and don’t use the gates to get past River’s Edge. Go through the river itself. Don’t come back here, don’t try to fight them. You are Shae. You are one of us. Never forget that. We will fight them as long as we can. Stay off the main roads and away from anyone until you reach Dothor.”
I tried to suppress the tears welling up in my eyes, clenching my jaw and my fists, but my heart broke as Kentric wrapped me in a fierce hug. He was old, but like an ancient willow, he was supple and strong.
“Now go, Aero,” he whispered in my ear. “Go!”
I knew I would regret it, Gods, I knew I would—but I did as Kentric told me.
I ran.
Meet Kate Cowan
I’m an author, writer, painter, and illustrator. When I’m not writing or creating art, I love to take my three insane dogs out for hikes and explore the beautiful Niagara region of Canada, where I live.
My passion is in telling stories that move people and capture their imaginations. I also strive to create art that is full of life and beauty.
I love creating pretty things, both written and painted. I’m also a martial arts instructor, 3rd-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, and lover of badass characters (which I’m sure you can tell from my books!!)
Giveaway
What a very cool cover you have there. The premise sounds interesting. Hope you enjoy!
I think I would like this one and I am loving that cover.