King's Shield

Table of Contents

Raves for the novels of
Inda:

“The world creation and characterization within
Inda
have the complexity and depth and inventiveness that mark a first-rate fantasy novel . . . This is the mark of a major work of fiction . . . you owe it to yourself to read
Inda
.”

—Orson Scott Card

 

“Intricate and real . . . Filled with magic and glamour . . . Characters spring to life with humor . . . Complex and compelling.”—
San Jose Mercury News

 

“Many fans of old-fashioned adventure will find this rousing mix of royal intrigue, academy shenanigans, and sea story worth the effort.”—
Locus

 

“In this lively, accessible follow-up to
Inda,
Smith dares to resolve several plot lines, in defiance of fantasy sequel conventions. Smith deftly stage-manages the wide-ranging plots with brisk pacing, spare yet complex characterizations and a narrative that balances sweeping action and uneasy intimacy.”—
Publishers Weekly

 

“The achievement of this writer is only getting more remarkable. In the past few months I’ve started reading more than a dozen fantasy novels or series; I haven’t reviewed them here because they were, to put it kindly, a waste of my time, and I didn’t bother finishing them. By contrast, I didn’t want
The Fox
to end. I savored every paragraph and continued to live in the book for days afterward. I keep thinking that if I write a good enough review, the publisher or author will relent and let me read the next volume early. Like now. Please.”—Orson Scott Card

 

“Pirates and plotters fill this swashbuckling sequel to
Inda
. This is a middle novel in this series, but it’s full of action, adventure and delightful, larger than life characters, and manages a sneakily sudden, uplifting twist at the end that provides a satisfying conclusion despite looming diassters.”

—
Locus

ALSO BY SHERWOOD SMITH:

INDA
THE FOX
KING’S SHIELD
TREASON’S SHORE

Copyright © 2008 by Sherwood Smith.

All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

DAW Books Collector’s No. 1445.

 

DAW Books Inc. is distributed by Penguin Group (USA).

eISBN : 978-1-101-08005-4

 

All characters in the book are fictitious.
Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

 

The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Paperback Printing, July 2009

 

Acknowledgments

My thanks to Beth Bernobich, who trudged faithfully with me through early drafts, and to Donald Hardy, who read and encouraged me, and clued me in to hot zones.

Thanks to Tamara Meatzie, who generously donated her time to proofread
The Fox
for its paperback release, and came to my rescue with this one.

And a heartfelt thank you to the following, who gave me a crash read in the middle of holiday season: Twila Oxley Price, Julia Unigovski, Faye Bi, Maggie Brinkley, Jenna Waterford, Allison Bishop, Jennifer Shimada, Alexandra Morris, Stephanie Zuercher, Surya Lakhanpal, Su-Yee Lin, and Jarratt & Evie Gray.

Finally, my gratitude to three people who went above and beyond: Hallie O’Donovan, Eliana Scott-Thoennes, and Orson Scott Card.

 

For readers who like timelines and worldbuilding details, here’s the webpage for this story, with all kinds of links:
www.sherwoodsmith.net/inda.html

PART ONE

Chapter One

AFTER nine years of exile, Inda was going home.

The still-wintry wind sent the scout craft
Vixen
scudding down the coast of Iasca Leror. Four crew and four passengers crowded the small craft, the passengers on watch as they drifted past tall bluffs of sedimentary stone. Above the cliffs occasional conical roofs were visible but seldom any living thing other than wheeling, diving sea birds. At night signal fires twinkled with a ruddy, sinister glow along the highest bluffs, beacons tended day and night, kept ready for any sighting of Venn raiders.

Inda was not alone. Three of his companions would go with him.

Inda fretted over the way the Venn Dag Signi had taken to standing at the rail, staring up at those forbidding cliffs, her hands clasped tightly together. The only way he could think of to break that silent, white-knuckled tension was to attempt a joke. “How often does a fellow fall in love with the world’s most wanted woman? Maybe we should help the balladeers along. Make up some good verses about us.”