Category: Aralim

There was a hawk of some sort, circling far overhead.  As Aralim walked down the evening street, between scattered rings of chatting townspeople, he watched it glide.  It didn’t even need to flap its wings—as though the wind spirit itself bowed in service to it.  Was it hunting here, in the middle of the city?

Soon, Aralim arrived at the estate of the Hanez family.  Miresh had given him instructions on how to find it.  He had not arranged an appointment with the Selected or his wife, but that served his purposes just fine. Continue reading Aralim 123

A wagon carrying kegs of ale passed along the cobblestone road.  Aralim and Miresh waited until it was across, and then strode forward.  Narr, with a dark green hood thrown over his head and a formless cloak concealing the hefty sword on his back, stalked along behind them, quiet and watchful.  Aralim was a little sore—similar to how he had felt after training with Grendar on the deck of the ship a few months ago. Continue reading Aralim 122

It was a sunny day after the morning showers over the rainforest of Numa’nakres.  When Aralim reported to the Aura near the Second Court, he was ushered through the shadows of the Iron Palace and reborn into the sunlight where Tag’na stood, near one of the many side-staircases.  These were out of reach of the public, behind short fortifications that divided the Palace grounds. Continue reading Aralim 121

Aglo the Industrialist was hunched over a desk that wasn’t quite his size, making marks in the midpoint of a rather thick scroll.  At sight of Aralim walking calmly after the Aura into his office area of the Palace, Aglo doused his quill in its inkwell and poured himself a brown whiskey from a crystal jar.  He raised the glass toward Aralim and said, “Ah, Master Ambassador.  Feel free to request something from his Aura if you like.  I’m sure they will be listening extra-vigilantly to this conversation.” Continue reading Aralim 120

Two members of the Aura—a man with short brown hair and a Raderan woman with a braid—led Aralim through the Iron Palace.  He had learned little since his meeting with General Vanra, so now he sought to follow up on certain remarks the commander had made: namely, the threat of the Emperor abandoning Rema. Continue reading Aralim 119

General Vanra was incredibly busy, Aralim learned.  After his tea with Emperor Tag’na, Aralim arranged to meet with the military commander, but the soonest date had been over two weeks away.  While he waited for the 1^st of the 12^th Moon, he arranged a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and also asked about Aglo, the Minister of Industry, who had tried to have Aralim killed after his exit from Rema. Continue reading Aralim 118

Aralim had missed this.  Sitting on a cushion in the cool interior of the Iron Palace, inhaling the rich aroma of masterfully brewed teas, speaking with a man who had seen so much of the Path—there was nothing quite like it.

“I thought it would feel longer,” Tag’na said, pouring himself a square mug of the green tea.  He turned the tray toward Aralim; it slid along the two-foot raised table gently.  A dozen members of the Aura stood in the shadows nearby, waiting for whatever their master might request.  That was the only thing that Aralim’s fond memories did not include.  It had taken time to grow accustomed to the Eternal Emperor’s Aura, and it would take time again. Continue reading Aralim 117

Aralim woke up with the sunrise and looked out over the rooftops of Rema.  Caidolis had vanished, at last, shrinking as slowly as it had appeared.  Now, only their monthly Moon was visible, setting below the jungles on the horizon.  From West Corid, he could see the river flowing southward, dotted with boats and lined with warehouses, shops, and inns.  He could see the trees lining the wider avenues in the lower part of town, the parks along Iron Way, and the lavish courtyards surrounding the enormous Palace.  He could not see the roofs of the districts on the slopes above him, or across the valley.  Those mansions rose higher and higher up the Yurna foothills. Continue reading Aralim 116

Aside from a late breakfast with Hayan and Nill—served by the ever hospitable Ko’nagar—Aralim and Miresh had had little chance before the Emperor’s lunch to reminisce their differing years.  They had talked while they walked, but the city was too noisy for an earnest conversation.  As they had approached the Palace grounds once more, Miresh told Aralim she wished they had had more time.

Now, the Aura guided them through the Iron Palace once again.  Aralim, Miresh, and Nilless met Devran, who was being similarly led.  The Eternal Emperor sat cross-legged at a low wooden table adorned with food.  Muria, the Foreign Minister, sat at the left end of the table, while the Emperor’s Blade stood near one of the enormous iron columns nearby. Continue reading Aralim 115

Something about their arrival to Rema seemed quiet.  It was late morning and the sun shone brightly from a cloudless sky.  In the shadows of Rema’s southern foothill, Captain Yau’s raft finally arrived at the docks of the Numa’nakres capital.  Aralim and his friends didn’t speak as Carrak and Yau pushed them the last few hundred feet.  They simply watched as the city came into sight: nestled between two of the Yurna Mountains predecessors, the tall houses and wealthy shops gave way to the great estates that surrounded the Iron Palace.  Of course, the richest of properties were those built into the sides of the slopes, looking down on Rema as if from the edge of some gargantuan bowl.  The Iron Palace itself seemed smaller to Aralim, somehow, though it was likely just due to the inflation of his memories.  It’s shining metal columns and slightly slanted roof gleamed silvery-white in the radiant sunshine. Continue reading Aralim 114