Steps of Krakador: Introduction
The Vitalis Chronicles: Steps of Krakador is set to be released on May 20th!
I’ve wanted to share things with you as the date draws near, and there seems to be so much to share! One of those things has been parts of the book itself, which I’ve shared a little bit of via Instagram in particular. But that wasn’t good enough for some people, and I’m glad.
Here’s a little preview for you, as cajoled out of me by my buddy Ethan. The introduction to Steps of Krakador:
The Vitalis Chronicles
STEPS of KRAKADOR
by Jay Swanson
Ardin Vitalis launched to his feet, the world coming rapidly into focus around him. And then there was nothing. He stood in the midst of swirling mists and hues of gray. The ground beneath his feet felt level, but he couldn’t see past his knees. His heart raced, blood pumping so loudly in his ears he strained to hear if anything around him made any noise at all.
The silence was complete. He turned, searching for the mountains, looking desperately for the bridge on which he stood and the abyss over which it ran. The abyss. He stopped turning for fear of any misstep. Perhaps he had been blinded. The last thing he wanted was to careen over the edge to his death. To follow the Shadow King.
The Shadow King. The thought struck his mind like a drum, and suddenly the world began to take form. The mists cleared from around his feet, swirling and whisking away from him with increasing intensity. He could see the cracks in the stone, the edge of the curb. Hope sprung anew behind the adrenaline, and, as if in response, the mists vanished into the distance. It was as if a wind had flown out from him, pressing the fog farther and farther until he could see the Cathedral, the Tomb, the floating mountain, and finally the entire mountain range known as the Dragon’s Teeth surrounding him.
How did I get here? He was at the center of the bridge. Only moments before, he had been at the very foot of the Cathedral, the tall structure built into the side of the floating mountain that encased the Tomb of the Relequim. And where is all the color?
That was a strange realization. There was no blue in the sky. No pink on his hands. Even the bloody patches in his leather armor looked black in this light. Was it the light? Or was it something else?
He turned in place again, suddenly uncertain of his whereabouts. Fear crept into the edges of his consciousness as his fingers tightened into fists. He reached for his sword, sliding the blade out by its hilt. When did I sheathe this?
And then he heard the voice. “I was beginning to wonder if you would ever come through.”
The hairs on the back of Ardin’s neck rose, prickling against the tingles that coursed down his spine. He found himself unwilling to turn but forced to do so nonetheless. “No.” Disbelief cut any other words short as he caught sight of the billowing black cloak and streaming silver hair.
The Shadow King smiled. He adjusted his grip on the exaggeratedly long blade in his left hand. He held the hilt loosely against his leg so that the tip rested just above the ground.
The sword… how did he get it back?
“This is my world, boy.” He raised the blade slowly and pinched it with his free hand. The Shade ran his gloved fingers along the blindingly sharp edge as if to inspect it. “Here, the tricks of the Magi cannot save you.”
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I can always be persuaded to add more before the 20th. There’s a lot going on in the next week, but I’m sure there will be a slow day that needs another entry! As always, let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you along the way.
