Labyrinth The Kaerling 20 – Freya Pickard

“Turn!” The Master flicked one hand at the taku who spun on his heel. “What colour cape do you want him to wear?” Milton asked. “I don’t,” Rusi announced. “He doesn’t need one. Besides, Erl and Stio will lose theirs at the earliest opportunity.” Stio looked crestfallen. “After Steel Arm and Screaming Maiden have impressed the audience of course.”

“Why?” Erl was starting to feel more comfortable wearing his purple cape. He wasn’t keen on showing off his body. “Because the audience expects it,” Rusi told him. “You can stop moving now.” He marched over to the taku and walked around the man looking him up and down. Lored’s countenance tensed as the Master stopped behind him and Erl smiled at the taku encouragingly.

“Ashlar isn’t wearing a cape either,” he told his friend. “Only because I don’t want to look like a fop!” The Assassin snorted. Erl felt hurt at the man’s remark and turned to him. Ashlar smiled wryly and the lad realised Slate was provoking Rusi. “You’ll do,” the Master announced. “We’ll keep his hair long,” he looked at Milton.

“What about the others?” The mercenary asked. “Trim Stio’s curls, but Erl and Ashlar get a full head crop. Oh, and everyone gets a proper shave too, no beards for the Falna Four.” Erl touched the straggly growth on his chin. He’d never had to cut his beard regularly, and since he and Otta had set out on their quest to follow the Unicorn’s Trail, he’d not touched a razor. He knew his beard wasn’t much, but he’d been growing it for over a year now and had become attached to it.

“When?” Milton wanted to know. “The day before the Second Games,” Rusi decided. “I’ll leave you with them. They can keep their costumes, just ensure they’re clean on the day. Erl needs to practice with his cape.” The Master of Lomentis whistled to Karah and strode out of the room without a backward glance. The Shamir hound gave Ashlar a lingering look and hurried after her new owner. “Come on, Erl, like this.” Stio punched the lad’s shoulder. He followed the Kirridian swaggering up and down the room, as Milton replaced the unused clothes back in his sack.

“That doesn’t suit Erl, as it does you,” the mercenary pointed out, as Lored joined Ashlar at the window. “What should he do then?” Stio asked. “He’s not like you, all arrogant and only thinking of his next lay.” “I am not!” Stio’s bright eyes flashed with indignation. Milton smirked and Erl chuckled. “No, he also thinks of eating and drinking,” the lad announced.

The mercenary guffawed. “I like you, Stio. You’re totally honest and one knows exactly where one is with you.” Stio looked disgruntled. “If it’s in a cup, drink it,” Ashlar grinned, walking over to them. “If it’s on a plate, eat it,” Erl laughed. “If it’s in a skirt, shag it,” Milton chortled.

First published in e-format in the United Kingdom in 2026 Copyright © by Freya Pickard 2026 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted or used in any manner, without the prior permission of the copyright owner except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the copyright owner’s prior consent in any form whether printed or electronic other than that in which it is published.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, whether living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any resemblance to names, places and incidents are coincidental and should not be taken literally. Cover design by Jonathon B. Hoyt © 2026 Cover image copyright © by Freya Pickard 2026 Made in England. OceanofPDF.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Copyright Page Labyrinth (The Kaerling, #20) 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 Glossary OceanofPDF.com for Aspasia Previously in The Kaerling series …

The mission of the companions is simple; to rescue Derri and Lally from the kaerlings. But catching up with the kaerlings proves to be anything but simple. The four companions (Lored, Tari, Otta and Erl) have travelled the width of Falnaboldu and crossed the great ocean to land on Jargoiden’s hostile shores. Meanwhile, Ashlar Slate, the King’s Assassin, is tracking Tari, who, he believes carries a scrip that his employer has ordered him to retrieve, killing everyone who has come into contact with it. Accompanying Slate are two Kirridians, Stio and Rue, who are eager to protect Lored and his party from harm.

But quite how the companions are going to rescue Lally and Derri, when … Otta has forgotten who she is and has left the protection of the kaerlings in the House of Amethyst … Tari is a prisoner in a lonely cell high in the mountains and has been told she is to be the Sacrifice to the ilkiendu god … Lored, Erl, Stio and Ashlar are prisoners in Irak Tam, the Fighting Ring and, having defeated the previous kaerling Champion, are now being trained for the Second Games of the Summer Season.

Their master is Rusivarch Hoyun, who has put Milton, a Falnaboldian mercenary in charge of the Falna Four’s training … Year of the Unicorn Ascending Orosturbe, Irak Tam, Rhanilk & Rhu Sharreshzan Day 4 to 8 OceanofPDF.com O CHAPTER ONE tta trod the cobbled street softly. Bright stars blazed overhead, tracing spirals and wedge-shaped patterns across the night sky.

Only to the north did the light fade, smudged into impenetrable darkness by Shambana’s fulminations. The waning gibbous moon hung above her, illuminating the deserted road.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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