Dreams of Darkness Rising

by Kitson, Ross M.

  Emelia shook her head in disbelief.

  “I’m sorry, love, but you need to know and Jem might be holed up somewhere so he can’t tell you. It affects you all, you Wild-mages. For Jem it’s the obsession with neatness and cleanliness; when we first met he was really gripped by it. It took years and a lot of Master Ten’s training to rein it in.”

  Emelia slid off the piling, her face flushed. She stumbled off along the quay, dodging past the sailors. Hunor moved after her, then slowed his pace as he saw her stop at the edge of the quay.

  I’m no good at this stuff, he sighed. Let’s just give her a minute.

  ***

  Emelia watched the dark waters lap at the purple stones of the pier. She felt mauled, her insides twisted and warped. The clues had always been there—she had just chosen not to see them.

  All of the parts came together in her mind now: the time in Coonor when she heard the masque’s whispered threat; the sense of paranoia that would always be lingering in the back of her mind; how it had surged forward this last week as she suspected all her friends and companions; and of course Emebaka—the imp in me—a voice in her mind, as real as a person.

  Yet hearing it said aloud, that her mind was fragile, unsound, was in some odd way what she wanted. How could you seek to conquer such a problem if you did not know its nature? Hunor had said as much of Jem—he had learnt to tame his madness.

  Hunor approached her, chewing his lip, eyebrows raised.

  “Damn it, Hunor, you’re my friend. Why didn’t you say?”

  “Come on, love, say what? Who am I to tell you? I took charge of your swords craft and your thievery, Emelia. It was down to Jem.”

  “To do what?” a voice asked.

  The two turned, hands on pommels, to see Kervin limping through the bustle on the quayside. He looked dishevelled and exhausted; he clutched his side.

  “Now you’re here!” Hunor said angrily. “Where in the name of the Pale have you been? You were supposed to be looking after Emelia.”

  Kervin held up his hands. “I know, I know. I lost her after the mage attacked us. I’ve been looking all night.”

  “Well some bloody tracker you are, mate. I found her on my way back through the New Quarter about to be roasted on a spit.”

  “It’s not the wilderness,” Kervin said. “I can hardly follow snapped twigs down the high street. Besides the city is crawling with Godsarm and knights.”

  “Back off, Hunor, he’s wounded. What happened?” Emelia asked.

  “Got into a skirmish with some Goldorians,” Kervin said with a wry smile. “They were looking for any non-Goldorian to light up.”

  Emelia nodded and helped Kervin to a seat, pressing on the wound with a cloth. With a sigh and a glare, Hunor joined them.

  “Sorry, mate, I’m sure you tried,” Hunor said. “In retrospect I should have come with you three. Where did Jem go?”

  “I went to Sir Krem’s residence, Hunor. Now give us a hand.”

  Hunor looked up to see a horse and cart rattle onto the quayside. Jem sat atop the seat alone. Seeing Hunor’s quizzical look, he indicated with his head towards the tarpaulin that covered the rear of the cart. Hunor moved around and glanced under the cover. With a jolt of surprise he saw Master Ten crouched with an unconscious Lady Orla.

  “Is she…?” he asked, his voice oddly thick.

  “Almost,” Jem said. “She fought like a lioness against the dark wizard. Her wounds are most grievous and Master Ten needs both time and space. Have we a vessel to board?”

  Hunor nodded dumbly. “And Marthir?”

  Before Jem could respond the horse nudged the thief and in an instant he understood. The thief patted the dappled mare.

  “If you come with us you can have the rest of my apple.”

  With a snort the horse turned away and Jem smiled, for what seemed like the first time in weeks. He descended from the cart and looked back at the glittering domes of Goldoria City.

  “I swear I shall never set foot in this place again, Hunor. The evil we slew last night pales before the malignancy of my people. Let us begin this quest for earnest. If we don’t take this battle to Vildor he will certainly bring it us.”

  Hunor rubbed his tired eyes and for once was at a loss for words.

  Epilogue The Realisation of Dreams

  Sunstide 1924

  The warm waters cascaded around Emelia’s shoulders as she broke the surface. The taste of the brine was like the finest Feldorian vintage. With a laugh, she waved at Hunor and Jem as they peered over the rail of the galley.

  This is like the first dream I ever gave you, Emelia, Emebaka observed. Now you’re doing it for real, what are we going to dream about now?

  How about islands of golden sand or cloud cities in the sky? Emelia replied. Perhaps I shall dream some more about being a mermaid or a princess, like all girls should. But for now I shall dream of the freedom I have achieved: the freedom to swim when I choose, to love who I choose and to live my life accepting who I am.

  Voices and all? Emebaka asked.

  Absolutely. Acceptance is the first step towards the freedom of my mind.

  Hunor would say stow the cryptic analogies. Maybe you should invite Master Ten in for a dip, Emebaka said with a giggle.

  Emelia chuckled and slid under the azure water once more.

  On the deck of the merchant’s galley Hunor relaxed against the rail enjoying the heat of the spring sun. They had dropped anchor off the coast of North Ssinthor—Hunor gazed in trepidation at the coastline.

  “We’ll be in there soon enough, mate,” he said. “Once we’re all recovered. That was some scrap, eh? How’s the arm?”

  “It’s better for Master Ten’s welcome touch. Orla improves by the day also—I expect we shall have to send her onward to Port Helien once we drop anchor in Kâlastan.”

  “Aye. Maybe we could forge some servitude documents and get her to do some graft for a change.”

  “Indeed. To be fair to her, she rallied to our cause in the end. I owe her for her assistance against that Dark-mage. Perhaps she’ll elect to accompany us?”

  “Don’t hold your breath, mate,” Hunor said, scratching his fresh stubble. He had begun reverting to his former standard of attire as soon as they had left Goldoria.

  “Emelia seems curiously infused with energy,” Jem said, nodding at the girl as she splashed with giddiness in the sea.

  Hunor was grinning at Emelia’s obvious joy. “I’m glad I told her. It wasn’t right to keep secrets from her.”

  “It pains me to say that you are right, Hunor. The knowledge of her—condition—appears to have paradoxically galvanised her into concentrating on her magical studies.”

  “She’s a natural—at all of it. It unnerves me a bit. Look at her swim. She’s never even learnt. It must be the mermaid in her.

  “Indeed,” Jem said, stroking his moustache in thought. “I am being over anxious—as is my wont—when I express concern about her uncharacteristic confidence. I can hardly keep up with her ideas. There are clearly depths yet untapped in our protégé.”

  “Better hurry and tap her then, mate,” Hunor said with a bawdy laugh.

  Jem raised his eyebrows and with a swift gesture sent Hunor hurtling through the air and into the sea with a mammoth splash.

  The sound of Jem’s laughter rang out for the first time in weeks.

  END OF VOLUME 1.

  To be continued in Volume 2: Echoes of Empire’s Lost.

  Glossary.

  Alcas bread—a spicy bread made with alcas seeds imported from Midlund

  Artoria—the great western realm. Post-empire now divided into two nations both ruled by monarchies.

  Artorian empire—the second empire(c1300-1700)

  Asha—Water father. Elder God.

  Azagunta—the isle of thieves in the Sea of Mists. Once a mightymagical nation

  Beeros—demon duchess of insanity and lies. Duchess of the Pale

  Black Brotherhood—Artorian assa
ssins guild based in Belgo

  Burke—a heavy robe favoured by the merchant class in Mirioth

  Coalition—the combined councils of the three Mirioth districts

  Coonor—City of the Mists, capitol of Eeria

  Craven—wolf headed humanoids

  Eeria—the easternmost nation. Ruled by a council of nobles.

  Eerian empire—the first empire (c 860 to 1060)

  Egos—God of courage. A younger god.

  Engin—God Of Luck. A younger god. Patron of thieves.

  Feldor—the southern Trimenal monarchy. Famed for its vineyards and weather.

  Ferenge—mages specialising in combat

  Galvorian—the elemental race of earth, from Orio

  Ghast—the Vampyr-lords. Dark-mages of great power

  Gilibrion—the first high king of Trimena

  Goldoria—pious nation, formerly in Trimena

  The Godsarm—the warrior inquisition of Goldoria

  Gondland—one of the seven tribal nations that united to form Trimena c750am

  Hârdan—the Shorvorian warrior caste

  Hêtar—a Shorvorian warrior without a lord or master

  Imperial—the “common” language, derived from Eerian in the days of the First Empire

  Ingor—Demon duke of pain. Duke of the Pale (called Eht-Raa by lizardmen)

  Iyrit Crag—the prison of Coonor

  Jitkn—the noble ruling class of Shorvoria

  Kanshar—the land of the horse lands north of Goldoria.

  Karabister—a broker for contracts of servitude

  Kevor—the nation which split in c700pm to become Ssinthor andMirioth.Ruled ultimately by dark mages

  Kisarti—a warrior caste of ancient Thetoria c. 750am.

  Kirit’s eye—a card game from Artoria, originating in the time of the second (Artorian) empire. Suits are named after ancient houses ofArtoria: Valgansi, Idriki, Porosti, Holgorki

  Kokis—the gilded city, South Thetoria. Famed for its many theatres

  Magnate—‘God-silver.’A rare metal able to hold magical power

  Mâlkar—the head of council in one of the three districts of Mirioth

  Melange—mages specialising in elemental manipulation

  Midlund—the small nation of brewers between Eeria and Mirioth

  Mirioth—a nation of traders and weavers. It southern lands are threatened by the Lizardmen of Ssinthor

  Moons—four moons. Silver Eerian, Red Pyrian, Green Orion and Blue Aquatonian

  Mortis—god of light. The father of all. God of life

  Miria—goddess of dark. The mother. Goddess of time

  Nekra—goddess of Death and evil. Elder god.

  Neobalt—a woman’s dress in Goldoria covering all skin except the face

  Netreptan—elemental race of air. Winged humanoids living in Eeria.

  Ni-Faris—festival of choosing in Coonor for the entrance to the Air-mages

  Nolir—Earth Mother. Elder god

  Nurolia—‘new place’- the lands inhabited by the five races

  Onor—demon duke of decay. Consort of Nekra. Duke of the pale

  Orio—an island far to the west, home to the Galvorians

  Pale—The Pale: hell, the underworld. Realm of demons

  Paristar—A mage who is on a period of leave from the Order

  Pyrios The desert lands to the arid south of Nurolia

  The Sacred Knife—a spy network working with the Godsarm in Goldoria

  Shorvor—the small island. Feudal. Similar to medieval Japan

  The Silent Knife—the Azaguntan assassin’s guild

  Shurk—Fire mother. Elder god

  Sirgos—demon duchess fear and terror. Duchess of the Pale Subaquan—the elemental race of water. Mer-men and mermaids.

  Sugox—Demon duke of disease & Plague. Duke of the Pale

  Synod—the Gold Synod:the ruling council of Goldoria

  Thetoria—A feudal monarchy renowned for its warring barons. Tindor—God of Pride. A younger god

  Torik—Air Father. Elder God

  Trimena—the nation formed in c750am from the seven tribes. Included modern Thetoria, Goldoria and Feldor

  Unoristara—mage who is absent from the order without leave

  Umar—God of Knowledge. A younger god

  Valia—Goddess of Love. A younger god

  Varistar—a mage who has forsaken his Order and the Codex

  Visaline—mages with administrative and bureaucratic responsibility

  Xirande—mages with academic and research role

  Yarkel—a hairy cattle found in northern Eeria. Famed for its fur and hide

  Yris Tu—the druid ritual of initiation

  Significant events in the history of Nurolia.

  am~ ante-magi pm ~ post-magi

  The Era of Legends

  c970 am—settlers from Aquatonia settle the coast of modern Artoria

  750 am—The Great Goblin War. Vildor slain by King Gilibrion

  749 am—The birth of Trimena

  c550 am—the four kingdoms have developed in lands of Artoria

  200 am—The beginnings of Kevor

  The Era of Magic

  0 pm—The discovery of magic by humans. Gift of Gems of Power by Umar

  50 pm—The City of Erturia established by the Lochden

  65 pm—The Knights of Air form during a Giant attack on Coonor

  139 pm—King Valgessin II of Lochden invades Belgo. Nation of Artoria born

  162 pm—Keresh and Olgon (two southern kingdoms) fall to north Artoria

  162 pm—The Iron Dynasty is established in Artoria, ruling a hundred years251-263 pm—Artoria wars with Aquatonia over Orio263 pm—War of Artorian succession. War with Aquatonia ceases.

  282 pm—End of War of Succession; King Otis (the Unfortunate) beginsreign

  283 pm—The First War of Brothers begins

  285 pm—Goldoria gains its independence from Trimena

  285-305 pm—The War of Succession in Trimena. King Echtolin Ivictorious

  305 pm—Trimena (now Feldor and Thetoria) re-named Echtolia

  325 pm—Barbarians from Foom sack Nth Artoria

  326-330 pm—War against the barbarians. Artorian knights formed by Targik I

  330-860 pm—The Gilded Age of Artoria

  420 pm—The beginnings of the infiltration of Kevor by dark wizards

  520 pm—The Second War of Brothers as Feldor fights for independence

  524 pm—The Treaty of Flags signed and war ends

  524 pm—Prince (now King) Thetorin I establishes Thetoria

  690 pm—The Mage Wars: The Fall of Kevor

  691 pm—The Mage Wars: The civil war in Azagunta.

  691 pm—Tilmoth I comes to power in Eeria upon the death of King Bilroth IX

  692 pm—The Plague of Dust devastates Azagunta. The demise of the Cabal

  695 pm—The first Codex is written and signed by the four schools

  The Era of Empires

  792 pm—The first Coalition of the Three Cities forms in Mirioth

  861 pm—The First Empire begins under Tilmoth VIII in Eeria

  930 pm—The monarchy of Goldoria slain during Eerian occupation

  980-1010 pm—The Eerian Empire battles to occupy Artoria (allied with Shorvor)

  1010-1059pm—Eerian occupation of Artoria

  1059 pm—the collapse of the First Empire.

  1059 pm—four houses take power in Artoria: Valgansi, Idriki, Porosti, Holgorki

  1060 pm—The church of Mortis gain power in Goldoria

  1125 pm—The Synod of Goldoria convene.

  1140pm—Tarir’s Dyke begun by Eerian engineers working with Mirioth

  1352 pm—The Second (Artorian) Empire begins with the invasion of Feldor

  1519 pm—Vildor resurrected during a coup. Irvin III becomes Emperor

  1550 pm—Emperor Orix I creates East and West Praetorships in the Empire

  1703 pm—Civil war erupts in the Artorian Empire between the two Prae
tors

  The New Age

  1706 pm—The Codex of the Magi is rewritten during the Accord of Belgo

  1707 pm—The Declaration of Kâlastan establishes the influence of the Guild of Goldsmiths

  1722 pm—Treaty of Parok negotiated between Goldoria and Eeria to protect Eerian traders

  1773 pm—Declaration of Birin signed after conflict between Eeria andThetoria over the Azure Isles

  1865 pm—Statute of Servitude in Eeria greatly diminishes the slave trade

  1899-1900pm—The Summer War (4th Goldoria-Thetoria war)

  1906 pm—Spring Rising in Thetoria

  Other great recommended reads from www.fantasyislandbookpublishing.com

  The Last Good Knight; by Connie J Japerson

  The Night Watchman Express; by Alison De Luca

  Children of the Elementi; by Ceri Clark

  Miranda Warning; by Marilyn Rucker Norrod

  Brother, Betrayed; by Danielle Raver

  Emeline and the Mutants; by Rachel Tsoumbakes

  Double Down Bounce; by J Darroll Hall

  Ednor Scardens; by Kathleen Barker

  Losing Beauty; by Johanna Garth

  After Ilium; by Stephen M Swartz

  The Tower of Bones; by Connie J Japerson

  Terps; by Elaine Gannon

  Black Numbers; by Dean Frank Lappi

  Sin; by Shaun Allan

  Last Liss in Tiananmen Square; by Lisa Zhang Wharton

  Silent No More; by Krista K Hatch

  Sand; by Lili Tufel

  Enchanted Heart; by Brianna Lee McKenzie

  Table of Contents

  Map of North-Western Nurolia. c 1920

  Map of South-Western Nurolia. c1920.

  Map of North-eastern Nurolia c1920.

  Map of South-Eastern Nurolia c1920.

  Map of South Goldoria and North Thetoria c1920

  Prism Book 1

  Prologue The House of Preparation

  Chapter 1 The Air Mage

  Chapter 2 Kirit’s Eye

  Chapter 3 The Carnival

  Chapter 4 Dark Intentions

  Chapter 5 The Lamb

  Chapter 6 Funerals and Forts.