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Tempests and Slaughter
Tamora Pierce
The legend begins.In Tempests and Slaughter, fans of Tamora Pierce will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom's future rests on the shoulders of a young man with unimaginable gifts and a talent for making vicious enemies.The legend begins.In the ancient halls of the Imperial University of Carthak, a young man has begun his journey to becoming one of most powerful mages the realm has ever known. Arram Draper is the youngest student in his class and has the Gift of unlimited potential for greatness . . . and of attracting danger.At his side are his two best friends: clever Varice, a girl with too often-overlooked, and Ozorne, the ‘leftover prince’ with secret ambitions. Together, these three forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms.But as Ozorne inches closer to the throne and Varice grows closer to Arram's heart, Arram realizes that one day – soon – he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.In the Numair Chronicles, fans of Tamora Pierce will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom's future rests on the shoulders of a boy with unimaginable gifts and a talent for making deadly enemies.
Copyright (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)
HarperVoyager
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)
First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers 2018
Copyright © Tamora Pierce 2018
Map copyright © Isidre Mones 2017
Jacket design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2018
Tamora Pierce asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Source ISBN: 9780008304317
Ebook Edition © August 2018 ISBN: 9780008304331
Version: 2018-08-02
PRAISE FOR TAMORA PIERCE (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)
‘Tamora Pierce didn’t just blaze a trail. Her heroines cut a swathe through the fantasy world with wit, strength, and savvy. Pierce is the real lioness, and we’re all just running to keep pace.’
LEIGH BARDUGO, No.1 New York Times bestselling author
‘Tamora Pierce creates epic worlds populated by girls and women of bravery, heart, and strength. Her work inspired a generation of writers and continues to inspire us.’
HOLLY BLACK, No.1 New York Times bestselling author
‘Tamora Pierce’s books shaped me not only as a young writer but also as a young woman. Her complex, unforgettable heroines and vibrant, intricate worlds blazed a trail for young adult fantasy – and I get to write what I love today because of the path she forged throughout her career. She is a pillar, an icon, and an inspiration.’
SARAH J. MAAS, No.1 New York Times bestselling author
‘I take more comfort from and as great pleasure in Tamora Pierce’s Tortall novels as I do from Game of Thrones.’
Washington Post
‘Tamora Pierce and her brilliant heroines didn’t just break down barriers; they smashed them with magical fire.’
KATHERINE ARDEN, author of The Bear and the Nightingale
Dedication (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)
To ladies of great generosity to stray and homeless cats:
Aurora Celeste (and her small future readers),
Jennifer Margaret Grosse,
Jonie,
Kat,
and Kate Kelley
with heartfelt thanks from my caretaking family and me
Contents
Cover (#u6b096bc4-1cea-5015-8978-66c02e1f62c5)
Title Page (#u5290add9-ed42-5879-8a60-a1288ec58237)
Copyright
Praise
Dedication
Map
Chapter 1: August 30–September 1, 435
Chapter 2: September 2–October 14, 435
Chapter 3: October 14–16, 435
Chapter 4: October 16, 435–March 436
Chapter 5: June 1–4, 436
Chapter 6: June 5, 436–March 18, 437
Chapter 7: May 23–August 24, 437
Chapter 8: August 25–28, 437
Chapter 9: August 31–December 2, 437
Chapter 10: December 3–31, 437
Chapter 11: January 1–9, 438
Chapter 12: February–March 438
Chapter 13: March 438
Chapter 14: April 438
Chapter 15: April–May 15, 438
Chapter 16: June–September 2, 438
Chapter 17: September 15–30, 438
Chapter 18: September 30–October, 438
Chapter 19: October 438–June 439
Chapter 20: Summer Term 439
Chapter 21: Summer Term 439
Chapter 22
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Also by Tamora Pierce
About the Publisher
Map (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)
THE IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY OF CARTHAK
The School for Mages
The Lower Academy for Youthful Mages
SCHEDULE OF STUDY, AUTUMN TERM, 435 H.E.
Student: Arram Draper
Learning Level: 10
Breakfast – Third Morning Bell
Morning Classes
History of the Carthaki Empire
Essentials of Water Magic, beginning studies
Language: Old Thak
Lunch – Noon Bell
Afternoon Classes
Mathematics
Essential Earth Magic: Seed and Harvest (First Half Autumn Term); Stone and Earth (Spring)
Reading and Writing
The Tools of Magic: Bowls, Mortar and Pestle, Salt, Water, Vials
Supper – Seventh Afternoon Bell
Extra Study at Need
CHAPTER 1 (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)
August 30–September 1, 435 (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)
THE IMPERIAL COLISEUM, THAK CITY, THE CARTHAKI EMPIRE (#udc0ecd93-86f4-5eba-921d-5829a0809187)
Arram Draper hung on the rail of the great arena, hoisting himself until his belly was bent over the polished stone. It was the only way he could get between the two bulky men who blocked his view. He knew it was risky, but he couldn’t waste his first chance to see the gladiators when they marched into the huge stadium. His father and grandfather were back at their seats, arguing about new business ventures. They weren’t paying attention, waving him off when he asked to visit the privies and never realizing he’d squirmed his way down to the rail instead.
Apart from them, he was alone. There were no friends from school for company. They all said he was too young. He was eleven – well, ten, in truth, but he told them he was eleven. Even that didn’t earn him friends among his older schoolfellows. Still, he wasn’t a baby! If he didn’t see the games with his family today, he might never get the chance, and he’d learned only last night he might not see Papa again for two years, even three. Carthak was a costly voyage for Yusaf Draper, and his new venture would take him away for a long time. But in the morning, Arram would be able to tell the older students that he had watched the games right from the arena wall!
Already he’d heard the trumpets and drums announcing the arrival of the emperor and his heirs. He couldn’t see their faces, but surely all the sparkling gold, silver, and gems meant the wearers were part of the imperial family. He could see the Grand Crier, who stood on a platform halfway between him and the royals. More important, he could plainly hear the man’s booming voice as he announced the emperor’s many titles and those of his heirs.
‘Lookit!’ The bruiser on Arram’s left bumped him as he pointed north, to the emperor’s dais. Arram wobbled and might have pitched headfirst onto the sands twenty feet below if the man on his other side hadn’t caught him by the belt and hauled him inside the rail. Without appearing to notice Arram’s near fall, the man on the left went on to say, ‘There’s the widow, and her son! She never comes to games!’
‘Who’s the widow?’ Arram asked. ‘Who’s the son?’
The big men grinned at each other over his head. ‘For all you’re a brown boy, you don’t know your imperials,’ said the one who had bumped him. ‘The widow is Princess Mahira, that was married to Prince Apodan.’
