Trials of the Hierophant: Vol. II of epic fantasy The Sundered Kingdoms Trilogy by Ethan Risso Read Free Book Online Page A

within, the recipe being a most sacred part of the Arlaïn arcanum. He sniffed the concoction and smelled the belladonna locked within. The paint helped sever his ties from the world and allowed him to see with vision unclouded. He would be able to see and hear the God and Goddess as well as the spirits of the forest.
    When Connor opened his eyes, he realized the priests had already led him into another clearing. From the brazier light, he saw Ceridwen and Cairbre in front of a large bed of flowers placed upon boughs of cedar. The priests led him forward to stand before them.
    As Ceridwen spoke, Connor’s vision grew hazy. He felt the cool metal of a cup touch his bottom lip, and he sipped the sweet elixir as it entered his mouth. A honeyed drink to hide the unpleasant taste of the aconite steeped within the brew, working in tandem with the paint upon his skin.
    Some time passed, and he realized he lay upon the bed of flowers. He did not remember being led or carried to them, but the surrounding strong scent of cedar and violets confirmed where he was. His cheek rested on his hands and, just beyond the haze he saw the crowd.
    A priest peeled back his robe down to his waist, exposing his back to the cool night air. He gasped as the first pinprick of the sharpened quill pierced his skin. With each tap of the quill, he felt the pigment sink beneath his flesh. Dots, lines, and swirls spread across his back and chest as a priest worked his magicks.
    He flinched when two others poured lavender-scented water over his tender skin, but the sting soon faded.
    Though his eyes remained closed, Connor sensed he no longer dwelt in Arlais. The earthly world had faded away, and he inhabited a place he did not recognize.
    Eyes open, he felt his stomach turn. He flew far above the ground. The whole of Dweömer spread out beneath him for many leagues around. He saw the world as the birds saw it, and he forgot to be frightened.
    He looked to the north and saw the snow-covered mountains of the Gabraëth range. Despite his great height, he could see the people beneath him. Gweliwch was teeming, preparing for war. Thick, gray clouds of smoke rose against the crisp backdrop of white snow, and he could smell the stench of iron.
    To the east, turmoil ravaged the Annwydian countryside. He watched the poverty-stricken inhabitants of the kingdom scavenge for even the smallest scrap.
    Connor heard his own voice cry out. “Their Maker has forsaken them, and yet they still blindly follow his teachings.”
    A woman’s voice, foreign but which contained familiarity, came from all around him. “Is that so different from those at Arlais?”
    Then a bright flash blinded him.
    He had no idea what it was. But when he regained his eyesight, he once again saw Dweömer below. Armies marched across the land and carried destruction with them. The banners of Gweliwch, Annwyd, and Cærwyn met on their battleground: Arlais. Flames from the Hwerydh Forest licked at the edge of the Brynlands to the north and the plains to the south.
    “This cannot be!” Connor shouted.
    In another instant, he found himself standing upon the ground, a thick cloud of dust swirling at his feet. As the dust cleared, he could see corpses all around. He did not recognize the blood-stained ground sprawled out before him.
    As his eyes fell upon a huddled mass, his stomach turned. Gawain lay before him, bloody and bruised. Yet, he still lived. Dust once again swirled around him as he reached out to Gawain, and Connor found himself enshrouded in darkness.
    He shuddered as the damp air clung to his clammy skin. A densely packed forest surrounded him, the branches of the trees dripping with morning dew, or perhaps fresh rain, he could not tell.
    Among the mixture of moss-covered ground and young grass were flowers he had never seen, their enticing aroma almost too tempting to bear. He reached out to pluck one, but before he stepped from the path he realized the ground beyond was not stable. It