Sea of the Dead

SWEAT POOLED IN my eyes and I wondered if this was what it felt like to be burned alive. Every muscle in my body screamed in agony and I fell to my knees, unable to take one more step. All I could think of was water. My throat was drier than dirt, like I'd swallowed handful after handful of finely ground cornmeal. Though my eyes were closed, I could feel my enemies draw near. A sharp stone hit my ribs, then another. Still I didn't move, thinking I'd rather be stoned to death than live another moment. It wasn't until someone spit in my face that I started forward again, crawling on all fours. I didn't need to look up to know the person who spit on me was my brother. No one else would dare.

An hour later I stood across from Master Yomatec, who'd summoned me to the archery range. He was alone when I arrived, letting loose one arrow after another into the target pit. SWISH-THWACK! SWISH-THWACK! SWISH-THWACK! Despite my fear and exhaustion, I couldn't help but admire the methodical rhythm of his movements. I'd spent endless hours over the past few years trying to mimic those sam ... read full excerpt from: Sea of the Dead ebook