WARSONG
Elizabeth Vaughn
Description:
The magic has come back to the Plains. The Warrior Priests are no more. The traditions are changing—too quickly for some.
Joden has only ever wanted to be a Singer, to know all of the songs. When the time comes for his Trials, he is challenged to take the old paths—and it ends in disaster. But his broken heart and broken body are found by Amyu . . . and she knows what it is to live with pain.
Amyu should have gone to the snows long ago, but instead chose to live in shame. Cast out of her tribe, she now serves Queen Xylara and the Kingdom of Xy. Her new mission is to find the key to defeating the wyverns who attack from the sky—but can a girl from the Plains control beasts who soar in the air?
She knows that Joden has been brought to her by the winds, and they do what they will. Their love is forbidden by the Plains, and their dreams pull them in different directions—but together they heal each other. If only they could heal their people, who are struggling with the ultimate goal:
Who will be WarKing?
Praise for The Chronicles of The Warlands
“Warprize is possibly the best romantic fantasy I have ever read.”—Anne McCaffrey
“The most entertaining book I’ve read all year.”—All About Romance
“Unusual and thoroughly enjoyable.”—Booklist
WARSONG
ELIZABETH VAUGHN
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Epilogue
About The Author
Acknowledgments
Works by Elizabeth Vaughan
This book is dedicated to Stephanie Loree
Friend and confidant, sharing the trials and tribulations of our writing lives
Prologue
“Is this your first birthing since joining my camp?”
Haya looked up at Elder Thea Olana with a nod as she dried her hands. “Yes, Elder.” The warmth of the birthing tent surrounded them as the others tended the mother, gathering close to acknowledge the life-bearer’s pain.
“Then take this,” Olana gestured with the newborn in her arms. “You know the naming ritual. See to it, and take him to the nursing tent.”
Haya stepped closer, taking the baby in her arms. The child wriggled, squirming in its blanket, blinking in the light. “My thanks,” Haya murmured as she stepped from the tent.
The night air was cooler, and the babe’s eyes opened wider as he felt its touch. He waved his small fists seemingly against the air itself.
“You’ll be a strong warrior,” Haya smiled down at the babe. “We’ll seek your name, then find you a teat to suck, yes?”
Behind her, the all too familiar chant rose from the tent. “We are the life-givers. Life-bearers of the Plains. This is our burden. This is our pain.”
Haya walked off, bearing the child toward the naming circle. The sounds of the chant and of the camp faded behind her. She smiled down into the newborn’s eyes, who was staring at her now.