I’m about 55,000 words in to the third book (and hopefully the final) of the Eulidean Chronicles. Below is the Prologue for the The Dökkáarheim Gateway:
The young assassin hurried down the hall, balancing a tray of food and coffee. In a few moments, he found the room he was looking for and entered.
“Just leave it on the table,” said his master.
The young assassin, trained to always obey, did as he was asked, bowed, and left.
The master, stooped from age, walked over to the table, put a few cubes of sugar into a cup of coffee, stirred, then took a sip.
“I always find I do not function well without my first cup of coffee.”
The three assassins in attendance chuckled obligingly.
“Now, what does everyone have to report about our mark?”
He took another sip of his coffee as the other assassins prepared theirs.
“This one has discovered that she has her own room, separate from King Frederick’s,” said one of the assassins. “It is located on the third floor of Castle Trondheim. She used to only have one guard in front of her room, but due to recent events, there are now several posted outside her door. Guards are posted at critical junctions in the halls.”
The master took another sip of his coffee and bit a cookie.
“What are her movements during the day?” he asked.
The next assassin spoke: “This one has discovered that she oversees much of the castle’s operations and finances, so there are many meetings over the course of a week dedicated to that purpose. When she does leave the castle, it is always with several guards. Her favorite stores to visit are her dressmaker and cobbler.”
The master nodded.
“What of the company she keeps? Is there anyone of whom we need be wary?”
The third assassin spoke: “This one reports that there is an unusual camaraderie between her and several blacksmiths, the Paupers Temple priest, a princess from Aarlund, a druid from Aarlund, Trondheim thieves, and the Dennland royal family. The Aarlund princess and Queen Sif are especially close as it appears the princess has exceptional healing abilities.”
“Does this have anything to do with the activity we have detected about the wyrm and the World Tree?”
“This one suspects it does as there has been a great deal of activity out at Freela’s abandoned temple out in the forest close to Trondheim. This one believes the old Northern gods are returning and many of the realms are reopening. This affects the wyrm and the Tree.”
“What realms are you talking about?” asked the master.
“This one follows the whispers and rumors that mention Aelfheim, Jötunheim, and Dökkáarheim.”
“The elves, the frost giants, and the dwarves.” The master dipped his cookie in his coffee and then popped the soaked cookie in his mouth.
“This one agrees, master.”
“Only those realms, no others?”
“This one agrees, master.”
“A fascinating time to be alive. It makes sense the wyrm and the World Tree are stronger than ever, exerting their power over the realms, because of the Eulidean. Other realms are awakening, as are some of the old Northern gods who lived through the Great Battle. The Norns must be busy with the tapestry. What then are your recommendations on the Eulidean’s assassination?”
“This one believes we should summon a demon. This one believes the demon would overpower any and all resistance, resulting in the killing of the mother of the Eulidean.”
“A wise suggestion,” said the master. “Other ideas?”
“This one believes conjuring a demon to do our work for us will result in failure,” said the second assassin. “This one prefers poison. This one believes the mother of the Eulidean’s newest dress should be covered in poison so that when she wears it, the poison will be absorbed through her skin, killing her.”
“A wise suggestion,” said the master. “Other ideas?”
“This one believes the demon and the poison will result in failure,” said the third assassin. “This one believes it should be a single assassin attack, a leap from behind the curtains with a dagger, and the mother of the Eulidean will be dead.”
“Another wise suggestion,” said the master, “but all I have heard will end in failure.”
The assassins grimaced.
“Instead of your suggestions, we will mount a full assault to kill the mother of the Eulidean.”
“This one does not think that wise,” said the first assassin. “A demon will test the defenses of the queen. And if the demon is successful, we are successful. And if the demon fails, no one will know it was our guild.”
“We have been training for this occasion for years,” said the master. “We will succeed where a demon would fail.”
“This one agrees with his master,” said the first assassin. The other assassins murmured their agreement.
“Good,” said the master, “because we will continue tracking her movements and we will wait for the ideal moment.”
“This one believes we cannot wait too long,” said the third assassin.
“Agreed,” said the master. “We will not wait long. We attack before the next full moon.”
Read the first book in the series: The Aelfheim Gateway
Read the second book in the series: The Jötunheim Gateway