by Lakshman, V.
Jesyn looked about, drinking in the details. These men were dressed in clothes of green and brown. They blended with the forest underbrush, and though clearly of the same race as the assassins, did not look like them. Aside from the different garb, the skin of these dwarves was decorated with intricate sigils and tattoos. They seemed almost alive, curling about like false shadows in the dancing firelight.
The one who had spoken had not moved, and it occurred to her that he could have shot her already. Something about these dwarves made them invisible to her Sight, which meant she might never have detected them. Yet they hadn’t shot her, and that spoke to the chance that he was telling the truth.
"The area is secure." The dwarf raised an open palm and jutted a square chin at the assassin tied to the tree, "These filth have been killing our people too, and worse."
"Your people?" was all Jesyn was able to utter, the entire scene still surreal to her, and her training keeping her vigilance finely honed.
The man stepped forward, just one step. His every move seemed to be executed with care, as if he understood what a mistake here might cost. "There’ll be time aplenty for us to get acquainted. How long before he can move?" His eyes flicked to Dragor’s slumped form.
Jesyn’s eyes narrowed, but she did not answer. The man she had come to think of as the leader nodded, as if acknowledging her decision to provide as little information as possible. She watched as he waited, then shifted herself a fraction.
The man noticed immediately. "Don’t," he warned, "we are not your enemy but we’ll not chance your skill. We only wish to check your prisoner."
He waited again, showing the same care as he had earlier, as if to be sure she understood. He had used the word ‘your’, perhaps an implication that he did not intend to lay claim to their capture. Jesyn was growing curious, despite the fairly precarious position they were all in.
Only when she nodded did he signal to his men. Two came forward, a woman and a man. They went to the tree where the captured assassin was secured. The woman pulled up her sleeve and touched her forearm.
Instantly an intricate sigil made of whorls and unfamiliar symbols lit under her skin, glowing a soft white. They ran up her forearm until one whorl curled around her finger, ending at its tip. She took that glowing tip and touched the assassin, closing her eyes.
Jesyn watched as the light from the woman’s finger seemed to seep into the man’s skin and disappear. A moment passed, not more than a few heartbeats, and the woman got up and looked at the leader. "He’s held, both by us and by whatever they did to him."
The leader then flicked his gaze to Dragor and asked, "Can you revive him?"
The woman looked at the catatonic adept and said, "Don’t know yet." She looked pointedly at Jesyn.
"Don’t touch him," Jesyn snapped. Her form briefly flashed purple as her flameskin simmered, yearning for release. A dozen crossbows refocused on her.
The man stepped forward again, but this time it seemed to put himself in his own men’s way. He looked about, his eyes traveling around the clearing until they came to rest on Jesyn. If she didn’t know better, he almost looked amused, though it could have been a trick of the light. Then he said, "Put down your arms."
Jesyn shrugged, "I’m unarmed."
"Not you," he corrected. Turning to his men he ordered, "Weapons down."
To her amazement, the men did as he asked. They did not hesitate, and there was no doubt in her mind that had the leader instead asked them to shoot, they would have pulled the trigger before the last part of the order had been uttered. Discipline. These men radiated it, and though it filled her with apprehension, a part of her couldn’t help but admire their training and focus.
"I’ve demonstrated good faith. Will you do the same?" He looked at her, his gaze never wavering.
Jesyn swallowed once, her eyes flicking to Dragor’s prostrate form. She could escape, but not with Dragor, and she couldn’t abandon her former master so easily, even if it meant her own end. Pursing her lips, she looked back up at the massive form of the dwarf and said, "I have little choice."
"In life, that is often true," laughed the dwarven leader. He held out an open palm, offering it to her. Only when Jesyn placed her own palm on his did he continue, "I am Dazra." A sudden flash erupted from his palm, surrounding the young adept in a blue-white halo of power.
Jesyn began to pull back but the man’s large hand enveloped her own in a warm but iron grip. She looked up in alarm, and he smiled in response, a flash of white teeth and eyes that held no malice. Other than the burst of power that now surrounded them both, he did not move aggressively and something about his demeanor made her wait.
"We cannot always know our friends." He let go and the aura of power diminished and faded, leaving the clearing darker than before until Jesyn’s vision readjusted. "But we have been watching you and your companion."
"What did you do to me?" Jesyn asked. Her hand felt strangely cold after Dazra let go. When there was no answer she looked down in time to see a small black stain, like a drop of ink, crawl up her palm and disappear. Her eyes widened as she watched it spread under her skin like dark blood, crawling through the network of arteries and veins in her hand and moving to her forearm and towards her heart. "What did you do?" she whispered, this time almost to herself.
Dazra tilted his head to the side, as if considering how to answer the young adept. When he spoke again, it was as if he was finishing a thought. "Only friends are permitted inside the Citadel, and we have need of friends now."
He brushed past her and motioned to his men to break their positions and prepare to move. As the men melted back into the underbrush, a few came forward to move Dragor and their prisoner to a makeshift pallet. In a matter of moments the team was ready to head out.
The woman, the one who had examined them, came to stand beside Jesyn. Her mouth crooked into a smile and she said, "I am Tarin." She squeezed the adept’s shoulder softly to reassure her, "Dazra trusts you, but the centrees will not, not without your own entat."
Her eyes flicked to the growing network of black ink that spread under her skin, tracing her veins like small branching rivers, then fading from sight.
"It has been years since we have allowed anyone within our home, but times are dire. Let’s hope his trust in you and your companion is well placed, young halfling."
Jesyn looked on as the men picked up Dragor with care and made ready to move. How far had they come to solve the mystery of Dawnlight and protect the Isle? How much had they sacrificed, how many had they lost? Trust? She watched the broad back of Dazra as he made his way to the forefront of the vanguard, then caught Tarin’s eye before replying, "I hope the same can be said of you."
~ AFTERWORD ~
READER’S GUIDE
Aging – Those on the Isle who practice the Way (see the Way) age more slowly than normal people. They are typically only a third of their age in appearance. A hundred year old adept would appear to be in his mid-thirties. This is a by-product of their training and begins once they attain the rank of adept (see Ranks).
Arek Winterthorn – Sixteen-year-old apprentice to Master Silbane, known to be able to disrupt magic. Keen intellect, master rank in bladed and unarmed combat styles. Adept rank in herb lore and combat tactics.
Ash Rillaran – Armsmark and second-in-command of Bara’cor. Military strategist, master in bladed combat. Attended the War College in Shornhelm, graduated first in class, known for his keen insight into battle tactics and his skill with a blade.
Alyx Stemmer – Pragmatic squad leader who acts as aide-decamp and squire to the Firstmark of Bara’cor. Assigned to safeguard the princess of EvenSea, Yetteje Tir.
Lord Azrael – Ancient Celestial and warlord of the Aeris. The dragons believe if freed, he will oppose Lilyth and her Aeris army.
Lord Baalor – General of Lilyth’s army and lord of storms. Ancient, powerful, and honorable, Baalor seeks justice for his fallen brethren and fights without fear. Able to chan
nel the Way in its purest form.
Bara’cor – Ancient fortress and stronghold, built by the Dwarves. Held by King Bara, then abandoned shortly after the Demon War against Lilyth, for unknown reasons. It now is held by King Bernal Galadine and his forces.
Ben’thor Tir – King of EvenSea, ruler of the eastern stronghold by that name and father to Yetteje Tir. Defender of the East and longtime friend to Bernal Galadine. Married to Bernal’s sister.
Bernal Galadine – King of Bara’cor, ruler of the western stronghold by that name, father to Niall Galadine. Defender of the West, graduate of the War College in Shornhelm, master strategist and wielder of the mighty runebow, Valor.
Conclave – An ancient group dedicated to safeguarding life on Edyn. They are custodians of knowledge and guardians against anything that would destroy the Way.
Cycle, Summer, Turn, Year – All refer to the passage of one year on Edyn.
Dragor Dahl – Adept, originally from the southern continent of Koorva, master rank in unarmed combat and illusions. Friend to Giridian Alacar, teacher of Jesyn, whom he found as a baby, abandoned in the Shornhelm Wastes.
Flameskin – A protective halo made of ethereal fire. Summoning one is part of gaining the rank of Adept. The color of the fire signifies that person’s attunement to the Way. The weakest are purple and slowly progress until they shine pure and white.
Giridian Alacar – Adept, Keeper of the Vault, master of artifacts and other magical items. Sixty years old, teacher to apprentice Tomas, scribe and chronicler of the adepts. Appears to others as a man in his late twenties.
Houses – There are four Great and dozens of Minor Houses in Edyn:
House Galadine – Led by the Imperial King Bernal Galadine and Queen Yevaine Galadine (of House Aeonian). House Galadine holds the fortress of Bara’cor. The King and Queen have one son, Niall, who is about to embark on this ‘Walk of Kings’. The King’s sister, Clarysa, is married to the King of EvenSea.
House Cadan – Held by King Rory Cadan and Lady Ilandra Cadan (of House Tir). House Cadan holds the fortress of Shornhelm. They have one son, Durnal, who is still an infant. His sister, Morgan, is married to the King of Dawnlight. They are served by Algren Justeces, who serves as Legate for Shornhelm in the capital city of Haven.
House Tir – Held by King Ben’thor Tir and Lady Clarysa Tir (of House Galadine). They hold the fortress of EvenSea. They have one daughter, Yetteje, current ward to House Galadine and staying at Bara’cor as part of her ‘Walk of Kings’ ritual. Ben’thor has a brother, Ellis Tir, who serves as Legate of EvenSea in the capital city of Haven. He also has a sister, Ilandra, married to the King of Shornhelm.
House Aeonian – Held by King Temar Aeonian and Lady Morgan Aeonian (of House Cadan). They hold the fortress of Dawnlight. Their daughter, Yevaine, is married to the Imperial King Galadine. Their other daughter, Ilandra, is married to the King of Shornhelm. They are served by Merric Spaiten, who serves as Legate for Dawnlight in the capital city of Haven.
Minor Houses: House Kalindor, House Justeces, House Spaiten, House Rillaran, House Stemmer, House Naserith, House Petracles, House Illrys, House Alacar, and more…
Hemendra – U’Zar, leader of the nomads of the Altan Wastes, military strategist assaulting Bara’cor. Responsible for the destruction of Dawnlight, Shornhelm, and most recently, EvenSea, under the command of Scythe. (see, Scythe)
Jesyn Shornhelm – Initiate, apprenticed to Dragor, training for her adept’s Test, last name taken from the region where she was found. Adept rank in bladed and unarmed combat. Ascended to full adept to meet the growing danger in Dawnlight.
Jebida Naserith – Firstmark, leader of Bara’cor’s military forces, longtime friend of Bernal Galadine. Distrustful of magic since the death of his wife and daughter, at the hands of creatures that appeared through a rift.
Kisan Talaris – Master, youngest to attain the rank, skilled in illusions and unarmed combat. Willful, strong, impatient, yet honorable and driven. Assigned to back up Silbane should the need arise. Teacher to Piter, then to Tomas. She recognizes the growing powers of Yetteje Tir.
Lilyth – Demonlord and Celestial, lord of the Aeris. Seeks entry into this plane of existence, ostensibly for retribution for centuries of enslavement of the Aeris.
Mikal Galadine – King during the Demon Wars, leader of the forces that forced Lilyth back to Sovereign’s Fall. Victorious, then decreed that all magic was outlawed and mages were to be killed on sight. Brother to General Valarius Galadine (the archmage who is believed to have summoned Lilyth).
Mindread – The ability of a practitioner of the Way to assimilate and read the thoughts of another person. Extremely taxing in power, so the information retained is often incomplete or jumbled. However, it can lend situational context when paired with the caster’s own perceptions.
Mindspeak – The ability for a practitioner of the Way to reach out and speak telepathically with another practitioner. Extremely taxing in its use of energy, but provides a near instantaneous connection through which thoughts and energy can be shared.
Niall Galadine – Crown Prince of Bara’cor, seventeen years old. Trained in weapons combat, but never faced a live opponent. About to initiate his rite of passage to manhood, known as the Walk of Kings.
Piter Winterthorn – Initiate apprenticed to Kisan, training for his adept’s Test, last name taken from the region near where he was found, master rank in bladed combat, adept rank in spellcraft.
Rai’stahn – Ancient dragon, defender of the world at one time, now inhabits a small part of the Isle where the adepts train. Predator, powerful in the Way, able to regenerate, and able to assume many forms. Skilled in combat (immeasurable by common mortal rankings). Does not involve himself in the world’s affairs, till now.
Rai’kesh – Ancient dragon and king of the dragonkind. Sits on the Conclave and instrumental in giving Valarius Galadine a vision of the true nature of the Way. Some argue this caused Valarius to go down the fateful path he chose. Ordered Rai’stahn to kill Valarius at the battle of Sovereign’s Fall.
Ranks – There are four tiers of rank, with many subdivisions. These four tiers are initiate, adept, master, and archmage.
All apprentices, once they pass their Test of Potential and earn their Green rank, are initiates.
Once an initiate passes his Test of Ascension, he or she wears the black uniform and gains the rank of adept.
From there, they test again for the rank of master.
Currently there are two masters on the Isle, Silbane, and Kisan. There are also three adepts, Giridian, Thera, and Dragor.
Tomas, Jesyn, Piter, and Arek are initiates preparing to Test for the rank of adept.
Lore Father Themun Dreys is the only Archmage on the Isle, and as such administers the tests of rank.
Ranks are also used to denote someone’s skill along these same four tiers, so a person with a master’s rank in bladed combat would be generally better than one with an adept’s or initiate’s rank.
Scythe – Archmage, red-robed wizard who seeks Lilyth’s Gate, allied with Hemendra of the Nomads, archmage rank in all things magical, possessor of the Old Lore, and able to wield it as the Old Lords did.
Silbane Darius Petracles – Master, skilled in all forms of combat and combat magic. Eighty years old and teacher of Arek Winterthorn. Appears to others as a man in his late thirties.
Tempest – Ancient sentient sword, given to Arek for his protection. Said to have the power to heal its wielder from grave injury. Particularly fond of Ash, and Arek.
Themun Dreys – Archmage, Lore Father of the Second Council of adepts, initiates the quest to ascertain the disposition of Lilyth’s Gate, master illusionist. Although over two hundred years old, appears to others as a man in his sixties.
Thera Dawnlight – Adept, master rank in herb lore and medicine, skilled in healing and defensive arts. Orphan and found near Dawnlight, appears to others as a woman in her late forties.
Thoth – Guardian of the
Archives, member of the Conclave, a group made up of the Elder Races and dedicated to safeguarding life on Edyn.
Tomas Dawnlight – Apprentice, first to Adept Giridian, then to Master Kisan. Preparing for his Test of Ascension. Strong, brave, highly intelligent and skillful in combining magic with strength.
Valarius Galadine – General and High Marshal of the King’s forces at Sovereign’s Fall, Archmage and Lore Father of the First Council of Adepts, known for causing the first cataclysm of the world. Powerful, strong-willed, championed the idea that demons were actually the source of magic and ruin in this world. Once he preemptively started a war with the Aeris, he was stripped of his title and rank.
The Way – An eldritch force that exists within the very fabric of space, allowing those that can tap into it the ability to manipulate time, space, and matter. There are many manifestations, limited only by the practitioner’s imagination and discipline. The Old Lords of the First Council used it to create spells that could alter the very nature of the world. The Second Council has honed it into a power that manifests itself in their bodies when they engage in martial combat.
Yetteje Tir – Princess of EvenSea, cousin to Niall Galadine, on her pilgrimage to ascend to the royal throne of EvenSea, with her final stop on the Walk of Kings at Bara’cor. She is seventeen and stubborn, but brave and good with a blade.
Yevaine Galadine – Queen of Bara’cor, wife of Bernal, sent from Bara’cor at the siege’s start with the young and weak to Haven, capital city of Edyn, to deliver them and return with reinforcements.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vijay Lakshman was born in Ottawa, Canada. He spent his early years in Bangkok, Thailand. When he was nine, his father took him to a martial arts exhibition and his life changed forever.
He dedicated the next thirty years to mastering the martial arts, his quest taking him across the U.S., Europe, and to China. In 1991 he earned his black belt and since has accumulated over 1,200 combat engagements against the best the world has to offer. His true passion however, is writing, and Mythborn his first epic fantasy novel.