by MJ Blehart
From time to time she glanced at her father. Occasionally, she looked out at the assembled crowd. She saw Cam speaking with the Army Generals and their staff. Saw Andim watching over Kallan and his father. Dak was next in the reception line, about to approach Varlock-Sharron. A Medaelian noble, who introduced himself as Count Mackan Vellig-Groffol, was ahead of him.
“Your Majesty,” the Count intoned, bowing to the Queen now.
“You Excellency,” she replied respectfully.
Lyrra-Sharron half listened as he made promises of allegiance, her attention on Dak, now speaking with her Father.
“Your Majesty,” Dak said, bowing to Varlock-Sharron.
“Dak Amviir,” replied the King. “For all you have done, I must again thank you. I know you have not only saved my life, but the life of my daughter. You are a brave and honorable man, and I am pleased my daughter has chosen such fine company.”
“I thank you for that, your Majesty.”
The Count had awkwardly left Lyrra-Sharron, as she had been ignoring him, going so far as to look at Dak with her father. The ex-soldier from Ontseer came to her, his face looking grim.
“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing, too formally for her liking.
“Dak Amviir,” she replied. “We have come a long way, you and I. When I noticed you, and all you did, and offered to make you second in command of my Falcon Raiders, you refused me. I pushed, and still you refused. At last, when it was clear I would not let up, you gave in. I could have made no better choice than you. My very life I owe you, more than once, and this debt I will never truly be able to repay.”
Dak appeared pleased, but sad. “A long way we have come together, indeed. But you are now a Queen, Lyrra-Sharron, and I am but a simple soldier. I strayed into Sharron, and found a purpose in you and your Falcon Raiders. But it is over, now, and I must move on again.”
“After all that has passed between us, Dak, it is not over,” remarked Lyrra-Sharron fiercely. “I have not given leave for you to go. I still need you here.”
Dak shook his head. “You no longer need the likes of me, your Majesty. Thus I bid you farewell.”
He began to walk away, when Lyrra-Sharron stood, grabbed his arm, turned him to face her. “Damn you, Dak Amviir! After Penkira, after all this time, after all we have been through together, you cannot just leave!”
“My only choice is to go,” he muttered, unwilling to look at her face.
Lyrra-Sharron grabbed his other arm, holding him tightly by the wrists. She forced him to look into her eyes, til she was holding his attention. “I will not let you go. Not after all this. I love you, Dak Amviir.”
Pulling him to her, Lyrra-Sharron kissed Dak. At first he seemed to resist, then at last gave in.
Lyrra-Sharron released him, and looked again into his eyes. “You cannot leave me now, Dak. I love you, and have been through too much to let you go. I need you here, with me, for all that will lie ahead. Your love means more to me than any crown I could ever wear. Stay, Dak Amviir.”
Dak tried to fight it, but her words made him grin. Lyrra-Sharron pulled him close, kissed him again. When she released him, his grin returned, broader.
“I will stay a while longer,” he said, uncharacteristically tender.
He then turned, and bowed to Varlock-Sharron, who watched the entire exchange with a knowing, sly grin upon his face.
Dak left the platform, and Lyrra-Sharron returned to her throne. She looked to her father, who smiled at her. She returned the smile readily.
Lyrra-Sharron Anduin had never felt so satisfied, or complete, in her entire life.
*****
As Cam stood in the reception line, he observed the exchanges between several of his friends, and various other parties. He found great satisfaction in the outcome of those that took place between Kallan and his father, and Dak and the new Queen.
Cam watched Dak return to the other Falcon Raiders, speaking with Torman and Neva. His made no move to take his pack, and had clearly chosen not to leave. The Sorcerer was glad things seemed to be working out.
At last, Cam came up before the two monarchs for the second time that day.
Cam bowed to them both, unable to stop the grin from spreading across his face.
“Your Majesties,” he said.
“Lord Cam,” acknowledged Varlock-Sharron.
“You have come a long way, Lord Cam,” stated Lyrra-Sharron.
“I suppose I have. You both stunned me with the title. It’s not every day you get to be a noble of two countries.”
Lyrra-Sharron started to laugh, as Varlock-Sharron added, “It is the least we could do. We both owe you a tremendous debt, Cam Murtallan. It will not be easy to repay.”
“You spared my life, you legalized Sorcery again. Consider all debts paid in full,” remarked Cam.
“Hardly,” snorted Varlock-Sharron. “It is not often a man selflessly risks so much. Hero of prophecy or no, we would not be here now, like this, without your contributions.”
Cam found himself embarrassed. His newly found humility made the taking of praise far more difficult. He shook his head, and looked to the Queen of Medaelia.
“What of the Falcon Raiders?” asked Cam of Lyrra-Sharron.
“I believe we need them still, as a special strike force and military unit,” she responded. “I think I shall leave Dak and Torman in charge of them.”
“What about Andim, Kallan and Nadav?” asked Cam.
“Andim and Kallan were Royal Guardsmen of Sharron, once. They have been excellent bodyguards. I think they shall serve me well heading up the new Medaelian Royal Guards. As to Nadav...I have a very important task for him. He is now the son of a Baron, and has always been a nobleman. He was originally trained to be a diplomat, or to work in one of the Council offices. I shall need, among other things, a Seneschal. He may not have the experience yet, but I think he will make an excellent choice.”
“Everyone wins, it seems. Bright futures all around,” Cam said lightly.
“What about you, Cam Murtallan?” asked Varlock-Sharron seriously.
Cam wore a knowing grin. “I am The Seeker of The Source. I have a destiny to fulfill.”
Varlock-Sharron looked at him thoughtfully. “Truly. But do you know where you shall go to continue your search?”
Cam shrugged. “I hadn’t really considered that yet.”
“I did not think you had had the time to do so,” commented Lyrra-Sharron. “We have a proposal for you, Lord Cam.”
“I’m listening.”
“We will both grant you full access to the libraries at Penkira and Gara-Sharron,” Varlock-Sharron began. “I think you will find many texts pilfered from the library at Aldara in Penkira, and if I do say so, I possess one of the finest libraries in the world, including many one-of-a-kind texts and scrolls from before the time of The Falling, and just after.”
“All we ask is that you would serve us both as an advisor and counselor, until such time as you learn all you can of The Source from here, and continue with your quest,” stated Lyrra-Sharron.
Cam considered that. “I’ve delayed this quest quite a bit already. Of course, all these things were destined to happen, I’m fairly certain. But I have to continue to seek out The Source.”
“You still do not know what you seek,” pressed Lyrra-Sharron. “You do not even know where to begin, truly. The Source remains a total mystery.”
“There is no point in wandering about blind, on a quest to fulfill a prophecy,” took up Varlock-Sharron. “You know your destiny. We know your destiny. When the time is right, you will find The Source. That cannot be stopped. Why not take advantage of these fine libraries, and the favor of two powerful monarchs?”
Cam thought about it. “It might only be a few months. I cannot say how long it will be until I am drawn away, to continue my quest. I am destined to find The Source, whatever and wherever it is.”
“So be it,” Lyrra-Sharron conceded. “We would gladly take your counsel for so lo
ng as you may give it. When the time comes, you will be free to go.”
“With our blessing,” continued Varlock-Sharron. “And you will always have a home, in Sharron and Medaelia. You will be welcome, and always be our guest. You may come and go as you please. You may fulfill the destiny before you, when you are called to do so.”
Cam took a deep breath as he considered their argument. The answer came to him with a clarity that left no questions. He knew without a doubt it was the right decision.
“Very well. I can’t argue with fate, so I accept,” he stated definitively. “I will study your libraries to learn what I can, and will also serve you both as a counselor, advisor, and as a friend, until I am called upon to complete my destiny, and become Finder of The Source.”
Glossary
Historical Note: According to the modern calendar, established within a few years after the devastation in the wake of the Falling of the Skies, the current year is referred to as 5004 AF (After the Falling)
Celestial Bodies
t’Thera – The World of The Source (Derived from the language of antiquity, meaning land of the ancestors)
Moons:
Aelunae (Mighty Sky Messenger in language of antiquity), I’lunae
(Child of the Sky Messenger in the language of antiquity).
Planets:
Periol, Annaxar, Vegras, Tegora, and Amriar
Avarack’s Comet – a comet that appears every hundred years.
Demarcation of time
Before The Falling, the passage of each year was marked by the annual disappearance of the smaller of the two moons, I’lunae, as it becomes totally eclipsed by the larger, Aelunae, only once per year. The change in season is marked by a solstice that occurs four times a year, three when both moons are simultaneously full, one when the single moon is eclipsed.
One of the more positive outcomes of Pallantir’s global domination was a universally applied means of marking the time. The measurement of seasons, months, and days were unified during Pallantir’s reign, and that remained in place after his passing.
Seasons
There are four seasons on t’Thera. The New Year begins when I’Lunae is completely eclipsed by Aelunae, and marks the beginning of the Season of Planting (Spring). The second, the Season of Growing (Summer), begins with solstice of both moons full. The next double full moons marks the third, the Season of Harvest (Fall). The final pair of full moons of the year marks the start of the fourth, the Season of Stillness (Winter). A year is three-hundred and sixty days. Each season is three months long.
Months
There are twelve months in the year. Each month is marked by the waxing and waning of the two moons, as they pass through one another’s shadow, save the three times a year when the seasonal solstice is marked by the double full moons, and the new year, marked by the complete eclipse of I’luna. There are exactly thirty days in each month, five weeks of six days each.
Prisatuary, Desatuary, Exsatuary – The first, second, and third months, The Season of Planting.
Prinitidu, Denitidu, Exanitidu – The fourth, fifth and sixth months, the Season of Growing.
Primesoran, Demesoran, Exaran – The seventh, eighth and ninth months, the Season of Harvest.
Prilentis, Delenti, Exalentis – The tenth, eleventh and twelfth months, the Season of Stillness.
Pri is a derivative of the ancient word for first, De comes from the word for next or second or following, and Exa is a derivative of the ancient word for last, final or concluding.
Days of the Week
There are six days in a week. Each day consists of twenty-four hours.
Annaduan(Monday) Vegraduan(Tuesday) Periduan(Wednesday)
Tegoduan(Thursday) Amriduan(Friday) Exaduan(Saturday)
The names of the days derive from the known planets in the solar system, and the antiquated word for day.
Places:
The Continent of Estaria
The Kingdom of Sharron
Capital: Gara Sharron
- Vann Region; Village of Vantu, Army Outpost at Vanntir
- Anduin Region; Port City of Anduin
Garwiln Island
Village of Tarmollo (Abandoned)
Town of Brivarn
Town of Natarn
Town of Horvan
Village of Korma
Village of Garthun
Town of Tela-Sharron
Village of Linott
Seaport of Kelfarn (HQ of Sharron Navy)
City of Mintarn (HQ of Sharron Common)
Village of Wolnav
Village of Olitarn (Abandoned)
Town of Folgan
:: The River Medanaria
The Kingdom of Medaelia
Capital: Penkira
Town of Penlorka
- Province of Anar (Former Kingdom of Anaria, annexed by Medaelia)
City of Aldara (former Capital of Anaria)
The Kingdom of Ontseer
King Delson Foliir – Ruler of Ontseer
Capital: Valseer
The Kingdom of Cordianlott
King Pol Juron – Ruler of Cordianlott
Capital: Cordann
The Kingdom of An-Quarvan (An-Quarvan means Land of the Sea in the language of antiquity)
King Vior-annra Miln – Ruler of An-Quarvan
Capital: Anzarna
The Kingdom of An-Duarvan (An-Duarvan means Land of the North Sea in the language of antiquity)
King Ulram Trent – Ruler of An-Duarvan
Capital: Oceana
The Kingdom of Nevarna
King P’lott of Neverna – Ruler of Nevarna
Capital: Parfolla
The Kingdom of Enkira
Queen-Regent Briara En-Torkuff – Ruler of Enkira
Capital: En-Cilrin
The Empire of Rannora (only remains of the Empire of Pallantir)
Empress Caia N’Dorra Pall’antira – Ruler of Rannora
Capital: Aminsott
The Commonwealth of Garrock
Prime Minister Puck Normakk – Ruler of Garrock
Capital: East Senrick
Allied Dominion of Lirdarra
President Von – Ruler of Lirdarra
Capital: Lirdarra City
Principality of the Isle of Torvik
Prince Tor Velnay – Ruler of Torvik
Capital: New Kilnay
The Kingdom of Elnarr
King Ev Juron – Ruler of Elnarr
Capital: Loradd
Sea of Pallantir
Cilrin Sea
The Continent of Nortamia
The Gendarme of Winsott
Monarch-General Nathaniel Arr Endoppa – Ruler of Winsott
Capital: Fortress City
The Kingdom of Vilcarr
King Arion Xanvull
Capital: Trildora
The Empire of Afpar
Emperor Sol Zek-Tir – Ruler of Afpar
Capital: Bar-Sol
The Kingdom of Ticarr
Queen Xiva Zek-Tira – Ruler of Ticarr
Capital: Bar-Aiyla
The Kingdom of Panvirr
King Fandumon Norris – Ruler of Panvirr
Capital: Sanctuary
The Kingdom of Dulvaln
King Orrdoff Zek-Tir
Capital: Bar-Olvig
The Continent of Soutaria
The Kingdom of Jennorrit
King Mattru Jenn – Ruler of Jennorrit
Capital: Garrisott
The Iradda Protectorate (Protected by the Kingdom of Jennorrit)
Administrator Dett Gann – Provisional Government Leader
Capital: Freetown
The Kingdom of Uftorra
King Ardo Kay-Uftorra – Ruler of Uftorra
Capital: Kay-Panroo
The Theocracy of Yadim
Archtheopomp Varnutt Amsiglia III – Ruler of Yadim
Capital: Veritaz
The Commonwealth of B’ornadd
Lord Minister Valey Par-Nyaav – Rule
r of B’ornadd
Capital: B’rigel
The Ontouran Territory (Territory of B’ornadd)
Governor Amlina Pat-Valey – Provisional Government Leader
Capital: Rillas
Characters:
Lyrra-Sharron Anduin - The Princess of Sharron, leader of the Falcon Raiders
Varlock-Sharron Anduin - The King of Sharron
Cam Murtallan - The Sorcerer, from Anaria
Falcon Raiders
Dak Amviir - 2nd in command of the Falcon Raiders
Nadav Rivarr - 3rd in command of the Falcon Raiders
Torman ApCrill - 4th in Command of the Falcon Raiders
Andim Noros - Falcon Raider, guard of Lyrra-Sharron
Kallan Val-Sharron - Falcon Raider, guard of Lyrra-Sharron
Darak - Falcon Raider
Varnon - Falcon Raider
Magan - Falcon Raider
Corlan - Falcon Raider
Neva Alcarra - Falcon Raider
Kurr Vangam - Gara-Sharron merchant, Falcon Raider Supporter
Max Parcall - Gara-Sharron merchant, Falcon Raider supporter
Morick Delmorr - Falcon Raider officer
Tirra - Falcon Raider officer
Delann - Falcon Raider officer
Torra - Falcon Raider officer
Dufon - Falcon Raider
Lingon - Falcon Raider
Wornam – Falcon Raider
Meliana – Falcon Raider
************
Radoln - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
Bormann - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
Gravin - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
Julonn - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
Salman - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
Voriff - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
Eldan - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
Talad - Falcon Raider, Under the command of Nadav Rivarr
************
Alran - Falcon Raider, Quarterstaff Student of Cam Murtallan
Khelvan - Falcon Raider, Quarterstaff Student of Cam Murtallan
Mikar - Falcon Raider, Quarterstaff Student of Cam Murtallan