Author: admin

Lerran 25

1479 - 1 - 6 Lerran 25

Tass spent the New Year with him, first in the feast hall in the Family estate, with his siblings, aunt Mara, and a handful of trusted attendants, but later in private.  They opened a bottle of 1461 red port and shared it on the balcony as they watched the sun set.  Later, they retired to the bedroom.

But after a week of easing back into things, Lerran was once again so busy he felt like a captive in his office.  Might as well lock myself in the basement cell, he thought. Continue reading Lerran 25

Aralim 20

1479 - 1 - 5 Aralim 20

The new year celebrations were concluded tidily on the third day of the Moon, which surprised Aralim.  When he asked Hayan about it, he was told that most of Numa’nakres celebrated the birth date of the Eternal Emperor, not the renewal of the Noress Calendar.  In fact, many devout followers of the Ascendancy refused to acknowledge the fall of the distant meteor as affecting the calendar at all.  Even in Trell, where Aralim hailed from, they recorded Years Since the Orrish. Continue reading Aralim 20

Arn 4

1479 - 1 - 4 Arn 4

Although Arn wasn’t wearing his face paint, he moved quietly and with the calculation required to track the water scales.  This time he wasn’t hunting animals, he was navigating the foliage behind the village.  But the hunt was most definitely on.  Arn had only armed himself with his dagger for it was not a fearsome animal he hunted today.  No, today was the day he had planned. Continue reading Arn 4

Nerediil

1478 - 12 - 30 Nerediil

The tall man strode down the plank with a calm, comfortable gait.  In the afternoon sun, his coppery skin gleamed, though only his cheeks.  His head and shoulders were covered by a hood, to conceal his grotesque features from passersby.  The hot days on the ship had been brutal, but he had no other option.  For the man named Nerediil, public appearance was not an option.  His teeth had been turned into long fangs and his hands bore claws—side effects of the magic that had perverted him and built him into the beast he now was. Continue reading Nerediil

Lerran 24

1478 - 12 - 28 Lerran 24

The New Year was quickly approaching and Sheld was preparing for its celebrations.  For Lerran and his Family, that meant only a few nice meals and time spent with loved ones, while the public put on a number of plays, feasts, and other good-hearted gatherings.  Lerran was relieved to get word that his ship had landed in the harbour before the end of the year, with the weapons shipment from Starath he had dispatched for a month ago. Continue reading Lerran 24

Aralim 19

1478 - 12 - 27 Aralim 19

They met with Rattar a few days past the next week, though they had let him know halfway between that Miresh was ready for the next steps of her training.  This time, the Aura brought them to speak with him in a grove of trees behind his meditation hall.  The Iron Palace still seemed like it was looming directly overhead, but as the morning rain cleared, they walked past it and a handful of other buildings to the small orchard. Continue reading Aralim 19

Vaenuth 30

1478 - 12 - 21 Vaenuth 30

Vaenuth impatiently waited after knocking on the old wooden door.  The clinic hadn’t opened yet for the day, and a beggar sitting nearby was eyeing her with raised eyebrows even though she wore appropriate Noress garb, a full torso of soft green linen fabric that breathed the hot air while still protecting her body from the innocent eyes of the childish people that lived here.  Vaenuth hated it, but the guard on the docks had made it clear. Continue reading Vaenuth 30

Aralim 18

1478 - 12 - 20 Aralim 18

In the sprawling streets of Rema, Aralim and his friends had been housed at one of the Eternal Emperor’s many properties.  While the offered housing at Mistress Athanu’s estate might have been even more lavish, the mansion on West Corid Avenue was still a thousand times more comfortable and secure than any place Aralim or Miresh had ever slept.  Instead of sleeping in hammocks or on thin cots—to avoid the dangers of insects—they had framed mattresses stuffed with feather down.  Their meals were prepared by servants, and maids cleaned their laundry.  At first, that had only one set of clothes, but the chamberlain of West Corid estate informed them the wardrobes were complimentary. Continue reading Aralim 18

Lerran 23

1478 - 12 - 18 Lerran 23

They stopped walking just before the mansion’s outer gate, where the Lerran Estate joined to the street of Sheld.  Erril’s hands were free, and he was not sweating as much as he had been in Lerran’s cell; there was a warm breeze out, but it was a mild day.  Lerran was wearing a dark grey tunic, with his green eye brooch clearly visible.  “I take it for granted that you know…” Continue reading Lerran 23