Beyond the Crimson Gate
Grimm Ironwood
A grimdark fantasy where a disgraced knight must venture into hell itself to rescue the soul of her fallen queen.
The gate stood seven stories high, wrought from iron that seemed to bleed in the torchlight. Crimson runes pulsed along its surface, ancient words of binding that held back the tide of the underworld.
Sir Valeria of the Ashmarked watched the gate from the ridge above, her hand resting on the pommel of her blacksteel blade.
A year ago, she had been the Queen's Champion, beloved of the court, bearer of the Sunlight Crest.
A year ago, she had failed.
The Queen was dead, her soul dragged through the Crimson Gate by the forces of the Abyss. And Valeria had been left behind, broken, branded a traitor.
But she had learned the truth. The Abyss hadn't taken the Queen by chance. It had been a sacrifice. A deal. Her life for the kingdom's.
Except the kingdom hadn't kept its end of the bargain.
And now Valeria was going to get her back.
She stood and began the long walk down to the gate. The air grew hotter with each step. The runes glowed brighter.
A voice like grinding stone spoke from the iron:
"One soul enters. One soul leaves. Such is the law of the Crimson Gate."
Valeria drew her sword. "Then let's rewrite the law."
Sir Valeria of the Ashmarked watched the gate from the ridge above, her hand resting on the pommel of her blacksteel blade.
A year ago, she had been the Queen's Champion, beloved of the court, bearer of the Sunlight Crest.
A year ago, she had failed.
The Queen was dead, her soul dragged through the Crimson Gate by the forces of the Abyss. And Valeria had been left behind, broken, branded a traitor.
But she had learned the truth. The Abyss hadn't taken the Queen by chance. It had been a sacrifice. A deal. Her life for the kingdom's.
Except the kingdom hadn't kept its end of the bargain.
And now Valeria was going to get her back.
She stood and began the long walk down to the gate. The air grew hotter with each step. The runes glowed brighter.
A voice like grinding stone spoke from the iron:
"One soul enters. One soul leaves. Such is the law of the Crimson Gate."
Valeria drew her sword. "Then let's rewrite the law."
Chapter 1