Star Wolves (The Tribes of Yggdrasil Book 1) (26 page)
Read Star Wolves (The Tribes of Yggdrasil Book 1) Online
Authors: Hugh B. Long
“Yes, sire,” Ailan whispered.
Devrim clapped his hands and wore a manic smile. “Perfect! I always wanted a son, Ailan. But first we need to do something.”
Ailan looked up at him. “What?”
“We need to give you a noble Hrymar name. I cannot continue to call you Ailan while you live here. I will call you … Kadir. What do you say to that?”
“Yes, sire,” Kadir responded.
“Excellent! You are a quick learner, Kadir. My son.”
T
housands
of light years from Earth, toward the center of the galactic core, a massive ship, the Adhipatram, sailed the void between the stars. Effortlessly and swiftly, she made her way spinward toward the Orion arm of the galaxy, and ultimately toward the cradle of humanity.
Kalashtrii sat patiently on her throne under the pointed arches of a vaulted ceiling, rising up fifty-meters above her, and spreading out one-hundred and fifty meters before her. The flattened surface of the vaulted ceiling was supported by a multitude of decorative ribs. A human being might think they were in a great Gothic church, but this was no holy edifice.
Her councilors, the twelve adjudicators, were having a heated discussion at the table in front of Kalashtrii’s throne; some matter of protocol was the kernel of their argument, but Kalashtrii had loftier matters coursing through her mind. As Mother Inquisitor, and head of the Crusade, their entire mission was her responsibility, and her glory; of billions of her brothers and sisters, she and three more had been chosen, elevated above all others to lead the holy crusade across the four quadrants of the galaxy.
Kalashtrii’s ash grey skin was almost indistinguishable from her ornately carved slate throne, and framed in long, pearl-white hair. But it was her eyes that fascinated most—luminescent red orbs radiating out into the darkness, glowing bloody gems in a shadowy face as beautiful as few woman that have ever lived.
She sat patiently and continued listening to her adjudicators as they planned their next invasion; the matter of protocol now settled, they moved on to more urgent aspects of the campaign. System by system, planet by planet, they brought
purity
to trillions of denizens. It was a great honor to touch the lives of so many; Kalashtrii reveled in it. But the sweetest victory over the
tainted
was yet to be had. The Ljossalfar, her long lost cousins, from whom they departed millennia ago.
There would be a homecoming soon. Kalashtrii would bring them the gift of purity. They might embrace it willingly, she thought, but not likely. No matter. Either way she would be victorious; her fleet had yet to meet any challenge of note.
Outside the Adhipatram, the Orion arm beckoned, but it would be a long journey still; yet she was not alone. With her, was the greatest fleet ever assembled by the Illar. Hundreds upon hundreds of her sisters sailed beside her. They were a host beyond resistance. Titans in the deep. And they were coming.
R
ead
on for a three-Chapter preview of Star Fury - The Tribes of Yggdrasil Book 2
H
ugh B. Long
is an Award Winning Canadian Journalist and Best Selling Author. He writes full time, and is passionate about Science Fiction and Fantasy rooted in Viking Mythology. He also writes Norse and Viking themed non-fiction under the pen name –
Eoghan Odinsson
.
Graduating from the
University of Aberdeen
‘s School of Engineering in Scotland with his
Masters of Science
degree, he subsequently taught for the University, and was a dissertation advisor for graduate students.
In addition to his academic background, Hugh also holds a Black Belt in
Shito-Ryu Karate
, a Brown Belt in
Budoshin Ju-Jitsu
, and was study group leader in D.C. for the A
ssociation of Renaissance Martial Arts
. (
Historical European Martial Arts
). Hugh has taught Martial Arts in Canada and the USA.
Hugh recently returned from a 10 year stretch working in the Washington D.C. area, and is now back in his native Ottawa Valley where he lives with his wife, son and two dogs.
