by Lakshman, V.
She closed her eyes, a trembling lip the only betrayal of her remorse and doubt, then Artymis took a step forward and disappeared through the gate to Edyn.
Here ends
Mythborn II: Bane of the Warforged.
The story will continue in
Mythborn III
~ 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 byproduct 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. Now empowered with the blackfire, a flame that consumes the Way, he struggles to understand its use and meaning.
Ash Rillaran—Firstmark and second-in-command of Bara’cor. Military strategist, master in bladed combat. Attended the War College in Shornhelm, known for his keen insight into battle tactics and his skill with a blade. May descend from the famous Argus Rillaran, though those records were lost during the Magehunter purges.
Alyx Stemmer—Pragmatic squad leader who acts as aide-de-camp and squire to the Firstmark of Bara’cor. Assigned to safeguard the princess of EvenSea, Yetteje Tir. Fell at Bara’cor and was turned into a possessed vessel for the Aeris.
Duncan Illrys/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. Master at using and transmuting Gates. Knowledgeable about Blood Magic, though it is forbidden to use.
Lord Azrael—Ancient Celestial and warlord of the Aeris. The dragons believe if freed, he will oppose Lilyth and her Aeris army. One of the greatest of the Aeris and champion of Edyn.
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 channel the Way in a pure form of lightning.
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 Galadine sister, Clarysa.
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 once wielder of the mighty runebow, Valor.
Blood Magic—an ancient and forbidden art which binds and uses the Way by the sacrifice of blood and something dear to the wielder. Through sacrifice great spells can be wrought, though they seldom benefit the supplicant.
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 (Edyn)—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.
Flameskin (Arcadia)—When an Adept summons his or her flameskin in the demon realm, it manifests as the armor and weapons of their bonded partner. They gain whatever abilities the Aeris Lord to whom they are bonded with possess including flight, regeneration, and special weapons.
The Galadine Kings—Zedakai, Mikal, Israfel, Ureyl, and Gabreyl. The line of succession of the Galadine Kings that now align themselves with Valarius Galadine. Bernal is the son of Gabreyl.
Gholem—The magically animated being created from any kind of inanimate matter, including wood, rock, stone, iron, or steel. There have been rumors of blood gholems, created through the sacrifice of blood, but these require consummate skill to create and are extremely difficult to control.
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.
Guardian of Dawnlight—Ancient immense beings made of rock and magma, stalwart defenders of the mountain, able to swim through and combat even dragons with their terrible might.
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) Reborn now as Mithra the Morningstar, and in service to Lilyth.
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.
Lens—A magical crystal that contains within it knowledge. Some lenses hold volumes on combat or medicine, others allow for special abilities or transformations. Duncan is given a lens by Lilyth that allows him to teleport anywhere into Arcadia not protected by a shield or in phase.
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. Vic
torious, 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 on the sender, 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.
Nephilim—The dark creation of any creature of the Way consumed by the blackfire, including but not limited to Aeris, elves, gholem, demons, and even dragons. These beings are born hungering for the Way and will hunt anything using it. Those that succumb to the their touch will rise again as new nephilim and continue the spread of their dark contagion until there is no more of the magical Way left to consume.
Phase—The space in between realms, an ethereal space where people can exist but they are outside what would be considered normal reality.
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. Now dark companion to Arek with unclear loyalties.
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 two adepts, Dragor and Jesyn. A small group of new initiates have appeared, the most talented one being Kimora.
Lore Father Giridian Alacar 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.
Sai’ken—Young dragon and daughter to Rai’stahn. Her powers as a Sai stem from nature and healing, her role is more of a diplomat or negotiator, whereas the more aggressive Rais defend and enforce. However, this does not mean that Sais are meek nor are they merciful.
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.
Sonya Illrys—Lore Mother, defender of Edyn at Sovereign’s Fall. Defeated Valarius but was mortally wounded by Mikal Galadine. Fell into a rift and into Arcadia where she was nursed back to health by Valarius. Is Duncan Illrys’ wife.
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. Died during the attack on the Isle and now exists only as a shade.
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. Died during the attack on the Isle and now exists only as a shade.
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. The attack on the Isle has filled him however with doubt.
Tyrus Kalindor, House Kalindor – Captain of the Galadine forces escorting Queen Yevaine to Haven. Was considered for Firstmark by Jebida but opted instead for ‘lighter duty’ after a lifetime in service of House Galadine. Lost an eye during the Siege of Shornhelm, prefers fighting with a spear.
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. Has survived and now leads the elves against those who would destroy the Way.
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. Wielder of the mighty runebow, Valor.
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, and now returns with reinforcements to help Bara’cor in her time of need. Hails from House Aeonian along with her sister, Illandra, who is the wife of Ben’thor Tir and Yetteje’s mother.
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 has accumulated over 1,200 combat engagements. His true passion however, is writing, and Bane of the Warforged is the second novel in his epic fantasy series, Mythborn.
He has created over eighty-five titles in his career as a software designer and architect of challenge-based learning software, but spends his free time entertaining his curiosity. This includes researching (mostly) useless facts on Google, testing ideas on combustion (only on household items), and amateur cryptozoology from the comfort and safety of his internet connected armchair.
His experience includes graduation from the Harvard Business School's elite General Manager Program, thirty years of training in karate, sixteen years of close combat grappling, fifteen years of kendo, eight years of long-distance cycling, and taking various things in the house apart.
Putting everything back together is the job of his ever patient and kind family and a small group of inspiring friends. You can find out more about Mythborn and the author at www.mythborn
book.com.