The Alyrisin have been gifted by the Gods; they are faster, stronger, and altogether more powerful than any of the other clans on the Crescent. This Battlelust makes them unable to feel pain, and they have used it to protect their homeland and the source of their power, the Bloodstone, for centuries.

But when madness begins to overtake the Warriors in their village, Selmas, the first in his family line to be rejected by the Bloodstone, is accused of stealing their precious gift and cursing his clan.

Selmas knows that he is innocent, but with all the clues pointing to him, he'll have to prove his innocence, and his worth. With the help of his cousin, the Chieftain's daughter, and some unexpected allies, Selmas must discover the truth behind what is happening to his people, and prepare to fight against those who wish to destroy Alyris—that is, if they don't destroy themselves first.

The Warriors' Bane is created by Brigid Martin, an eGlobal Creative Publishing author.

The Warriors' Bane

Selmas scrambles to get his backpack slung over his shoulder again, then realizes that he’s just going to have to take it off to make it back through the crawl space in the rock and into the tunnels, so he just hauls everything into his arms, taking the few quick steps needed to make it back to the other side of the cavern. The gap isn’t as far up from this side, and he’s able just to throw all of his gear through the opening. It’s a little harder to get himself up and through, because the black rock is slippery, and there’s a lot of it. His fingers are bleeding from small abrasions, but he eventually makes it, shimmying through the hole, feet first, and landing safely on the other side. 


He gathers up his pile of belongings, already running by the time he has them in his arms. He slings his bag around his chest and hooks the sheath of his sword onto his belt, drawing the blade as a precaution. 


Chapter 23: Trapped in the Tunnels