by Tom Lloyd
She looked at her mother and father. Zhia touched Doranei’s arm, and the Lord Protector of Narkang and the Four Cities waved her on with gritted teeth and a scowl.
Mihn smiled went to embrace his Mortal-Aspect as the last three arrived at the top of the hill, then took Legana’s hand from Ardela. ‘Come with us, Gennay,’ he said as he walked arm-in-arm with Legana towards the stone circle
Gennay followed them onto a piece of strangely paved ground at the very centre of the hilltop and looked around in wonder. The pale paving stones shone as the last traces of day fled the sky. She could see two enormous menhirs flanking a stairway into the hill itself, but Mihn led her to a flat table-like rock in the very centre. There were words written on it – an epitaph, she realised – but to whom, it didn’t say.
‘A lot of people died to get us here today,’ Mihn said sadly, ‘but I imagine you will have heard quite enough about the wars.’
She nodded; her parents both carried the scars, inside and out. ‘My father’s a soldier,’ she began hesitantly, ‘but he doesn’t like to talk about it, even when Manayaz or Sebetin ask, even though he’s teaching us all how to fight.’
‘There is no way to describe it,’ Mihn said softly, ‘and he hopes you will never have to find out.’
‘Uncle Daken seems to think it’s fun, but I don’t think he’s right.’
‘Daken thinks a lot of strange things are fun,’ Mihn agreed, ‘but that is who he is. You cannot hide from who you are; you can only accept it and make it work.’
‘Do you know him too? He’s a white-eye. Everyone says he’s mad, but I don’t think he is.’
Mihn squatted down beside her, and his strange black shadow slid like oil over the stones. ‘People say lots of things about white-eyes,’ he said gravely. ‘Some of them are true, others are not.’
‘They are stubborn and troublesome,’ Azaer added in a voice like the whisper of wind through the trees, ‘more troublesome than you can ever imagine.’
Mihn ducked his head, though whether in acknowledgement or sadness, Gennay couldn’t tell. ‘And yet capable of great things,’ he whispered, to himself as much as anyone, ‘and great sacrifice too – he gave his body and soul to drive your shadow out of Ruhen and burn it into mine. Given the plan he devised, my taking a mortal wound pales in comparison to the burden he took on himself.’
‘He burned your shadow?’ Gennay asked, confused.
Mihn gave her a sad smile. ‘He consumed himself with light – how else does one cast the strongest shadows? And I was there behind it, to catch that shadow in my own and die just as a new God was born.’
Gennay looked down and saw his pitch-black shadow squirm, but Azaer had nothing to add to that.
‘Azaer and I were enemies,’ Mihn continued, ‘or, to be precise, Azaer and the old king were enemies, and they fought a war, as you know. That war weakened the whole Land. My friend Isak realised that victory in that war would not be enough. He saw that he had to force both sides together, so the war would never happen again.’
‘Some of us were less than amused by it than others,’ the shadow added, claws briefly appearing at the end of his black fingers.
At a look from Mihn the claws disappeared again and the shadow retreated behind him, ignoring the play of moonlight as it traced shapes over the stones.
‘Many were unhappy, but it is done and the Land is healed,’ Mihn said. ‘My shadow holds the power of the Gods, and I control my shadow. It is not a choice either of us would have wished for, perhaps, but it is done – and we can hardly complain about our lot in life when we rule the Gods. You have heard about Isak?’
When she nodded, he smiled. ‘Good. Most of what they say about Isak is true, but he was my friend, and a very good friend he was. He gave his life to heal the damage we had all done. He died in a chamber beneath our feet while tens of thousands fell on the slopes of this hill. Your parents and Vesna have come here to remember Isak, along with all the others who died on that terrible day. The memory scars all those who survived – remember that and be gentle with your mother and father.’
Mihn gestured to the flat stone beside him. ‘Stay here a while, think of Isak and all the others. If you want to join the Sisters of Dusk, you must always remember those who died, and protect their sacrifice. Remember them at Silvernight especially; that was his birthday.’
‘Did Isak . . . Did he write this?’
Mihn shook his head. ‘The words are mine, but I think he would be happy with how we remember him. He always wanted to be more than just a white-eye, more than the warrior he was born to be. He gave his soul to do just that, leaving nothing to pass into the lands of no time. All that is left of him is the light he burned into me, and the memories in those who loved him. You see Hulf, roaming these hills? He could not bear Isak’s loss. The two shared one wild soul, so I made Hulf a part of me too, and the light is within us both now.’
He gestured to the words on the stone. ‘This is how I remember all of those who died here, men and woman, friends and strangers. I must go and speak to the others now. Legana will stay with you.’
Gennay felt the prickle of tears. It wasn’t only her parents who had suffered in the wars, she knew that: Uncle Veil was missing a hand, Old Carel his whole arm, and Aunt Dash was half-crippled too. Gennay could scarcely believe the withered woman had fought here too, but none of her parents’ friends would dare make an idle boast like that; she knew that for certain.
She was too young to remember much about the old king, but she knew he had been badly hurt too. In Narkang men and women bore their battle injuries with quiet pride, even now, all these years later. They had all suffered; they had watched their friends die, seen cities fall and armies slaughtered. She couldn’t begin to imagine any of that, but she had seen the look on their faces when they remembered, and just thinking of that now made the tears run down her cheeks.
As Gennay slowly read the words before her, she tried to conjure an image of Isak as her parents had painted him: a Farlan white-eye, Chosen of Nartis for a time – though he’d been not many winters older than her brother, Manayaz, was now.
He was tall and brooding, her mother had said when Gennay had asked. Reckless and quarrelsome, her father had added, and as scarred as the rest of us put together, Uncle Veil had contributed, to general agreement, but they had done so with smiles on their faces, even old Carel, who didn’t smile at much.
So that was what she pictured: a big, frightening man perhaps, but young and uncertain as well, with the same sort of foolish, lazy grin as King Sebetin, who won friends as easily as breathing. And one who had given his life for his friends.
Legana arrived beside Gennay and gently squeezed her shoulder, then she reached out and ran her pale fingers over the stone, touching each word in turn as though bringing them to life in her mute world. In the far distance the silver dog ran, as swift and free as the wind.
Gennay read the words aloud for all of them, for the tens of thousands who had died on the plain, and for the smiling white-eye in her mind.
In the long dusk I dream,
Of joy, of love and life.
The shape of things,
Their colours, lights and shades;
These sights eternal,
Look ye also while life lasts.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
(PART TWO):
Ok, so I have to admit that many other people have put a huge amount of work into the Twilight Reign. Without their efforts and dedication the series might never have come about and it certainly wouldn’t be the thing of pride for me that it is now. I barely know where to start, but two figures stand out:
Firstly my lovely wife, Fiona, without whom I’d no doubt be a borderline psychotic and malnourished recluse. Well, more so anyway. It’s easy to get drawn into the world you’re writing about and forget about what’s actually important. It’s been a relentless effort on her part to keep me cheerful and engaged with real life while I worked through this project of a m
illion words – and an effort for which I’m hugely grateful.
The other woman whose-word-I-must-obey-because-she’s-always-going-to-be-right-and-arguing-only-makes-it-worse is Jo Fletcher; beloved editor whose portrait would no doubt hang, Lenin-like, in Death’s office if He had one. She gave me my chance and made damn sure I didn’t waste it, improving the books at every step and being my most vocal champion in an industry where obscurity kills most careers.
Along the way have been so many others who also deserve thanks, particularly: Louise Gould who stepped into the breach to edit this last book when all sensible advice would be to run away, my entire (and extended) family who’ve all been hugely supportive, and Pyr Übereditor Lou Ander for all his work, advice and enthusiasm on the other side of the pond. Also Simon Spanton for taking up the reins at Gollancz, Gillian Redfearn, Charlie Panayiotou, Jon Weir, and all the rest at Gollancz and Pyr, plus agents John Parker and Simon Kavanagh, and website supremo Robin Morero.
Not to be forgotten are my long-suffering readers – particularly Nathaniel Davies and Richard Lloyd-Williams, but also Steve Diamond, Simon Kavanagh and Sarah Mulryan. Additionally thanks to those writers I like to think have over the years become, well, people I’ve met: Joe Abercrombie, James Barclay, David Devereux, Jaine Fenn, Suzanne McLeod and the many others on the Gollancz list who combine to make it far more than a collection of competitors.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Abay, General Hym – general of the Knights of the Temples and member of its ruling council
Aels, Counsel Mirani – Vanach Commissar of the Fourth Enlightenment
Afasin – White-eye general of the Knights of the Temples, ruler of Mustet and member of its ruling council
Alterr – Goddess of the Night Sky and Greater Moon, member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Amah, Suzerain Duril – Deceased Farlan nobleman, died at battle of Chir Plains
Amah, Suzerain Koshir – Farlan nobleman, uncle of Duril Amah
Amavoq – Goddess of the Forest, patron of the Yeetatchen, member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Amber – A Menin major in the Cheme Third Legion
Antern, Count Opess – Narkang nobleman and advisor to King Emin
Anyar, Duke Heyl – ruler of Sautin
Aracnan – Deceased Demi-God, first son of Death
Ardela – Farlan devotee of the Lady, Legana’s companion
Arek, General Kontor – Menin general, commander of the Fourth Army
Aryn Bwr – Battle name of the last Elven king, who led their rebellion against the Gods. His true name has been excised from history
Ashain, Coternin – Narkang mage
Azaer – A shadow
Bahl – Deceased Lord of the Farlan; Chosen of Nartis before Lord Isak
Belarannar – Goddess of the Earth, member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon, once patron of the Vukotic tribe
Bessarei, General Saraventole – General of the Narkang Kingsguard
Beyn, Ignas – Deceased member of the Brotherhood
Bissen – Mage in the employ of Natai Escral, Duchess of Byora
Carasay, Sir Cerse – Colonel of the Tirah Palace Guard Legions
Carel (Carelfolden), Marshal Betyn – Farlan nobleman, mentor, friend and former commander of Lord Isak’s Personal Guard
Cedei, Herred – Member of the Brotherhood
Celao, Lord – Litse white-eye, Chosen of Ilit and ruler of the Ismess quarter of the Circle City
Cerrat, Jeco – Legion Chaplain of the Ghosts, raised directly from novitiacy by the posthumous order of Lord Bahl
Certinse, Knight-Cardinal Horel – Commander of the Knights of the Temples, younger brother of Suzerain Tildek, Farlan by birth
Certinse, High Cardinal Varn – Deceased Farlan cleric. Third son of the Tildek Suzerainty, younger brother of Suzerain Tildek, Knight-Cardinal Certinse and Duchess Lomin
Certinse, Duke Karlat – Deceased Farlan nobleman, former ruler of Lomin, nephew of Suzerain Tildek
Cetarn, Shile – Deceased mage from Narkang
Chaist, Duke – Ruler of Embere, Member of the Knights of the Temples
Coran – Deceased white-eye bodyguard of King Emin Thonal of Narkang
Cotterin, Suzerain Piranei – Narkang nobleman
Dacan, Priesan – Vanach Commissar of the Fifth Enlightenment and member of the ruling Sanctum
Daima – A witch of Llehden
Daken, General (the Mad Axe) – White-eye from Canar Fell, a General of the Narkang Army and Marshal of Inchets, aligned to the Litania the Trickster, an Aspect of Larat
Danva, Suzerain Woral – Deceased Farlan nobleman, suzerain-in-regent for his infant nephew
Danva, Suzerain Wattan – Farlan nobleman, son of Woral Danva
Darass, Prefect Shor – Vanach Commissar of the Fifth Enlightenment and, Overseer of Toristern Settlement
Dashain (Dash) – Second-in-command of the Brotherhood
Dass – Carastar mercenary
Dassai, Marshal Canerin – Narkang nobleman and colonel of the Green Scarves
Death – Chief of the Gods and head of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Dechem – Chetse champion from the Eastern Desert
Dedessen – A minor daemon
Derager, Gavai – Wife of a Byoran wine merchant, a Farlan agent
Derager, Lell – Wine merchant from Byora and Farlan agent
Derenin, Suzerain – Narkang nobleman, lord of Moorview Castle
Derral, Captain Kinen – Soldier from the Circle City, member of the Knights of the Temples
Dev, General Chate – Chetse general and Commander of the Ten Thousand
Doranei, Ashin – A member of the Brotherhood
Dorom, Colonel – A Menin officer
Ebarn, Fei – A battle-mage from Narkang
Echer, High Cardinal – Deceased Farlan cleric and leader of the cardinal branch of the Cult of Nartis
Ehla – The name Lord Isak is permitted to use for the witch of Llehden
Eleil, Cardinal Luth – Deceased priest of Ilit from Ismess, member of the Knights of the Temples, former head of the Serian in the Circle City, then deputy of the Devout Congress
Endine, Tomal – Narkang mage in the employ of King Emin
Escral, Duchess Natai – Ruler of the Byora quarter of the Circle City
Escral, Duke Ganas – Deceased husband of Natai Escral
Etesia – Goddess of Lust, one of the three linked Goddesses – with Triena, Goddess of Romantic Love, and Kantay, Goddess of Longing – who together cover all the aspects of love
Farlan, Prince Kasi – Farlan prince during the Great War, in whose image white-eyes were created and after whom the lesser moon was named
Farray, Sepesian – Vanach Commissar of the Fourth Enlightenment
Fate – Deceased Goddess of Luck, also known as the Lady, killed by Aracnan
Fernal – a Demi-God living in Llehden, son of Nartis and nominated by Isak to be his successor as Lord of the Farlan
Fershin, Horman – Farlan wagon-driver, father to Lord Isak
Firnin, Camba – Specialist mage from Narkang
Firrin – A member of the Brotherhood
Fordan, Suzerain Leren – Farlan nobleman, died at the Battle of Chir Plains
Fordan, Suzerain Karad – Farlan nobleman, son of Leren Fordan
Forrow, Ame – A member of the Brotherhood and Coran’s replacement as King Emin’s bodyguard
Frost – Nickname of a Menin nobleman
Fynner, Chaplain – Priest of Nartis from Lomin and chaplain of the Knights of the Temples
Galasara – Elven poet from before the Great War
Garalden, Sergeant – Soldier in charge of a squad in King Emin’s Narkang Army.
Garash, High Priest Kel – Priest of Belarannar from Narkang, member of the Knights of the Temples and head of the Devout Congress
Gaur, General – Beastman warrior from the Waste, former commander of the Third Army and most trusted
aide of the former Menin lord
Genedel – A dragon
Gesh – Litse white eye, Chosen of Ilit and Krann to Lord Celao, First Guardian of the Library of Seasons
Gittin, Colonel – Officer of the Knights of the Temples from Mustet
Gort, General Jebehl – Deceased general of the Knights of the Temples and member of its ruling council
Govin, Keyt – Menin mage, adept of Larat and part of Larim’s coterie
Grast, Deverk – Infamous former Lord of the Menin
Grisat – Mercenary-turned-penitent of Ushull in the Circle City
Haysh (The Steel Dancer) – Aspect of Karkarn, one of several Aspects linked to a specific style of fighting taught in training temples prevalent among the Menin
Hesh, Isalail – Litse boy, son of a carpenter in Byora
Hirta – Female member of the Brotherhood
Holtai, Tasseran – Narkang mage and scryer
Horotain, Priesan – Vanach Commissar of the Fifth Enlightenment and member of the Sanctum
Horshen, Commissar – Vanach commissar of the Second Enlightenment
Hulf – Dog belonging to Isak
Ifarana – Goddess of Life and once member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon until falling at the Last Battle
Ileil, Child Soisa – Litse inhabitant of Byora and follower of Ruhen
Ilit – God of the Wind, patron of the Litse tribe and member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Ilumene – A former member of the Brotherhood, now disciple of Azaer
Introl, Tila – Deceased Farlan political advisor to the Lords Isak and Fernal; fiancée of Count Vesna
Isak – Deceased white-eye, former Lord of the Farlan, Duke of Tirah and Chosen of Nartis
Istelian, Child – Byoran member of Ruhen’s Children
Jachen, (Major Jachen Ansayl) – Commander of Lord Isak’s personal guard, former mercenary
Jackdaw (Prior Corci) – Former monk of Vellern
Jailer of the Dark – Dragon that fought the Gods during the Age of Myths and lost. Too powerful for them to completely kill, it was chained to the doorway to Death’s throne room on the lower slope of Ghain