The strange feeling of connection slipped through her fingers as a second towering behemoth emerged from the jungle. This one looked like a praying mantis grown one thousand times its original size. The mantis leapt onto the feathered beast’s back, and they exchanged blood-curdling screeches. The feathered beast spun violently, and the mantis flattened a hundred tall trees. The earth shook beneath her feet. Her bones quivered.
With supernatural speed, the mantis scurried towards Balsithedeen’s beach. She flung herself towards the jungle, and the mantis’s pointed leg stabbed into the sand where she stood seconds earlier. She flailed about to keep her balance as she dashed into the thick woodland.
The feathered creature appeared before her. She almost ran into its ivory talons, but she soundlessly threw herself behind some shrubbery. It didn’t see me, she hoped. Hrash above, let me go home. Let me see Henhall again. And my sister, and my parents, and my mentor, and my friends. Please, I want to go home. She didn’t realize her eyes had closed to pray until she opened them. The feathered beast had moved on, but her prayer remained unanswered. If I’m not going to make it back home, then please, Hrash omnipotent, let Drea die for his sins. Don’t let him hurt anyone else.
The ground quaked with each titan footstep. But in between those footsteps, the belly of Balsit Isle seemed to ache and grumble. Where the feathered beast had flattened some trees, she could make out the peakless mountain in the center of the island. Smoke billowed from where the top of the mountain should have sat.
A rustling in the nearby undergrowth. Behind her, the leaves rubbed against one another. A tall tree swayed though the wind was weak. Balsithedeen whipped around to find a child.
The small boy’s egg white skin accentuated his long black hair. Was it a boy? A full head of hair, but also chest hair. This dwarven man wore only a green loincloth about his waist and thick linen about his feet. He held a minuscule dagger in his hand. Some bizarre instinct compelled Balsithedeen to reach for the parchment with the pictures, but she had left it on the beach. The small man opened his mouth to reveal his yellow teeth had been filed into points.
His lungs expanded, and out burst a yelp in some vile foreign tongue. He raised the dagger. Balsithedeen stumbled backwards. In the corner of her eye, half a dozen more of the small men — all with daggers. She turned to find a score behind her. They lunged at her.
Balsithedeen tapped into a primal fury and screamed as loud as she could. And a bone-shaking boom emanated from behind her. Everything shook. The sound of earthen vomit. Strange shadows. A hot wind at her back. The expressions on the white-skinned men turned to abject fear.
She slowly looked behind her to see the mountain oozed smoking red sludge. The sky turned gray with ash. Fire flew through the sky. And each of the strange little men regarded Balsithedeen with frightened reverence.
Every head bowed. Except one. A fatter man waddled towards Balsithedeen. His hair dragged along the leaf-strewn jungle floor. On his pate sat a sort of crown of twigs and red berries. He pointed at her and gurgled some foreign curse. He hid his dagger and revealed a thin shortsword, as long as he stood tall.
Balsithedeen had the jagged dagger tucked in her skirt. When she took it out, the onlookers gasped and whispered. But the crowned man did not flinch. He slashed at her lightning quick.
She avoided a few slashes, but when he managed to hit her, the thin blade did not break the skin. A thwack to her right shoulder caused her to scream. He went to stab her, but Balsithedeen grabbed the hilt of his little weapon and pulled it away. The short, fat man rolled at her feet. She jumped to evade the odd attack. He crawled behind her like a wild beast and bit at her heels. He missed time after time, but she eventually stumbled and fell beside him.
He leapt onto her, bared his filed yellow teeth, and lurched towards the right side of her neck. Flashes of the hellhound that killed Eleim. She writhed and shook his balance. She brought Henhadn’s jagged dagger up. It cut from the fat man’s thigh all the way to his neck.
He jumped away and tried to seal his fresh wound with his hands, to no avail. As he met Balsithedeen’s eyes, fire from heaven disintegrated the crowned man. The onlookers knelt in awe.
One of the others tiptoed towards the ashen remains of her attacker. He retrieved the twig and berry crown, put the fire out, and handed it to Balsithedeen. Filled with confusion and adrenaline, she swallowed the agony from her black shoulder gash and stood to take the circlet.
Under a sky of ash, she donned the twigs. Right shoulder pulsing with pain, hair matted to her face with sweat, stomach aching with hunger, heart pumping with fear — Balsithedeen did not know what to do. So, she started walking. And thirty eggshell-skinned dwarven men followed close behind.
Appendix
THE CONGRESS OF HRASHHILL, and their families:
Falhill — a former royal scribe, twenty-seven years old, son of two famous heroes of the rebellion
Falhadn — a teacher, wife of Falhill
Hulla — governor of Jevilk, estranged father to Falhadn, a loyalist
Balhulla — wife and second cousin to Hulla, a loyalist
Jeulfynhall — Hulla and Balhulla’s household guardsman, neck marred by a large goiter
Primhadn — a brave teacher, sister to Falhill
Primhill — a soldier, husband to Primhadn
Primhall — a boy of three, Primhadn and Primhill's son
{Fal} — a farmer, Falhill’s and Primhadn’s father, hanged for rebellion; called The First
{Maalnud} — a seamstress, wife of Fal, hanged for rebellion
Drea — a septuagenarian, he served as royal congresser for three decades, proved himself a rebel hero when he rescued the child queen Jeufyn from the Unholy King’s grasp; called Drysword
{Dreahill} — Drea’s late son, a hunter, killed some years ago
Hraena — Dreahill’s wedfather, a farmer who despises Drea
Dreahall — Drea and Hraena’s grandson, apprentice to Drea
Kraek — a former royal congresser, esteemed general, Laebm’s cousin
Fal — a potter, wife to Kraek, distant cousin to Falhill
Gaerhadn — an herbalist, Kraek’s elder daughter, Theral’s weddaughter; has four sons and two daughters
Gaerhall — Gaerhadn’s eldest son, a boy of eleven, apprentice to Cleric Traamis
Balgaerhall — Gaerhadn’s second son, a boy of nine, one of Falhadn’s students
Jeulgaerhall — Gaerhadn’s third son, a boy of seven, one Falhadn’s students
Gaerhedeen — Gaerhadn’s elder daughter, a girl of four, friend to Henhall the younger
Shelgaerhall — Gaerhadn’s youngest, a boy born on the voyage north
Kraekhill — a soldier, Kraek’s only son, married to Kraekhadn; has two sons and a daughter
Balweanhadn — a jeweler, Kraek’s younger daughter
Balweanhill — a hunter, Balweanhadn’s hot-tempered husband
Weanhall the elder — a lumberer, brother to Balweanhill
Weanhall the younger — a boy of four, Balweanhadn’s son
Balweanhall — a boy of nine months, Balweanhadn’s youngest
Henhadn of Irinaal — a scribe, Kraek’s widowed niece
Theral — formerly the king’s executioner, wife to royal congresser Gaer; called the Butcher of the Bloody Courtyard
{Gaer} — a royal congresser, slain by Prince Yaangdhill the Twisted at Anang
Gaerhill — an alchemist, Theral’s only son, husband to Gaerhadn; called Graymatter
Balgray — an herbalist from Meireer, distinguished herself as the Hero of Meireer
{Jirid} — a lumberer, husband to Balgray, slain by Theul in Meireer
Baljiridhall the elder — a laborer, Jirid’s brother
Jiridhill — a soldier, son to Balgray
Jiridhadn — a loyalist soldier, wife of Jiridhill; has twin sons
Ganjinhadn — a kind midwife, daughter to Balgray
&n
bsp; Ganjinhill — a sailor, husband to Ganjinhadn
Denhall — a hunter, briefly governor of Enesma; called The Debauched
Denhadn — a sickly scribe, mother to Denhall
{Denhill} — a royal smith, Denhall’s father, killed by Yaangdhill in royal throne room
{Baldenhill} — a smith, brother to Denhall, died in prison after father’s death
Shelaarfhall — a farmer, never married, "comforts" Denhadn
Yrnhill the younger — a cleric of twenty, Cleric Traamis’s right hand; called The Yellow
Yrnhadn — a housewife, Yrnhill’s wife, sixteen years old
Yrnhill the elder — a farmer, Yrnhill’s father
{Yrnbalhadn} — younger Yrnhill’s mother, elder Yrnhill’s second wife
Yrnjeulhadn — a farmer, Yrnhill the elder’s third wife
Sarahill — Yrnbalhadn’s younger brother, runs the tavern in Hrashhill
Sarahedeen — apprentice to Sithadn, Yrnhill’s cousin
Balyrnhall — apprentice to Kraekhill, Yrnhill the younger’s younger brother
OTHER NOTABLE CITIZENS OF INDEPENDENCE in Hrashhill, and those they left behind:
Traamis — former holy counsel, he is the chiefmost hero of the rebellion; lost three sons at a young age; called The True
{Traamishadn} — Traamis’s wife, died in the war before her name changed to Yrbm
Fenhadn — Traamis’s daughter, left behind in the motherland, wed to Fenhill
Fenhill of Kreafer — a wealthy farmer, Hunter Fenhall’s distant cousin
{Jeulhrabhadn} — Traamis’s late sister
{Jeulhrabhill} — Traamis’s late wedbrother, Hrabhill the elder’s third son
Hrabhall — Jeulhrabhadn and Jeulhrabhill’s son, Traamis’s orphaned nephew, apprentice to Traamis
Hrabhill the elder — a miner, Hrabhall’s paternal grandfather
Laebm — former royal general, now rebel war hero, Kraek’s cousin; he is called Lionheart
{Laebmhadn} — Laebm’s late wife, killed herself soon after her son’s birth
Laebmhill — a soldier, Laebm’s only son to live past infancy
Laebmhadn — Laebmhill’s wife, a jeweler, left on the mainland
Laebmhall - Laebmhill’s son of four, left on the mainland
Baelhadn — Laebm’s sister, left in the mainland
Baelhill — governor over Baeldaan in Old Coast, Baelhadn’s husband
Henhill — a wealthy farmer; he is called Old Henhill
Henhadn — a housewife, wife to Henhill
Henhall the elder — a sailor, twin son to Henhill
Kraekhadn — a shepherd wed to Kraekhill; nee Henhedeen; twin daughter of Henhill
Balhenhill — a sailor, middle son of Henhill
Balhenhadn — an herbalist, wife to Balhenhill; many think her a witch
Henhall the younger — a boy of four, Balhenhill’s only child
Jeulhenhall — apprentice to Shelaarfhall, third son Henhill
Balhenhedeen — Henhill’s surprise child, a girl of twelve
Sithill — a poor farmer
Sithadn — a midwife, wife to Sithill
Greishadn — a pregnant seamstress, Sithill’s elder daughter
Greishill — a sailor, husband to Greishadn, left his family in Hrashmaad
Balsithedeen — apprentice to Henhadn, Sithill’s younger daughter
Fenhall — a hunter and atheist, never married, fathered several bastards
{Rudjeulgrayhall} — a soldier, Fenhall’s first son, killed by False Priests
Rudlaarhill — Fenhall’s second son, apprentice to Laebm, wed to Rudlaarhadn
Rudglednhall — Fenhall’s third son, apprentice to Zannahill
Rudfalhedeen — Fenhall’s first daughter, one of Falhadn’s students
Hraghedeen — Fenhall’s unmarried housemate
Rudhraghall — Fenhall’s fourth son, Hraghedeen’s first
Balrudhraghall — Fenhall’s fifth son, Hraghedeen’s second; nicknamed Balfen
Freily — a widow, Fenhall’s older sister
{Hullahill} — Freily’s late husband, cousin to Falhadn
Hullahill — Freily’s son, a wealthy but sickly loyalist left in mainland
Hullahadn — Hullahill’s wife left in mainland
Calnhall — a lumberer, his wedding was interrupted by the Battle of Enesma
Glaadhedeen — an herbalist, Calnhall’s betrothed, her father died in Enesma
Jeulcaln — a cleric, distant cousin to Calnhall
Laebm the Maid — Jeulcaln’s wife
{Eadnfyhadn} — a soldier, Jeulcaln’s elder daughter
Eadnfyhill — a shepherd, Eadnfyhadn’s widower; has a son of two
Rudlaarhadn — Jeulcaln and Laebm’s younger daughter, apprentice to Fenhall, married Rudlaarhill
Rudfynhill — a soldier, he protects the congress; has two sons and a daughter; called the Slumswain
{Rudfynhadn} — Rudfynhill’s wife, died four years ago
Pangder — a former tailor, Rudfynhadn’s father, a sickly loyalist whom the Slumswain has sworn to protect
Rudfynhall — Rudfynhill’s elder son, a boy of eight, one of Falhadn’s students
Zannahill — a male teacher, close friend to Falhadn
Zannahadn — a scribe, bedridden, wife to Zannahill
Zannahall — Zannahill’s son, seven years old, one of Falhadn’s students
Zannahedeen — Zannahill’s daughter, three years old
Yeznahill — a soldier, lost an arm during the war
Yeznahadn — Yeznahill’s wife, works at Sarahill’s tavern
Yeznahedeen — Yeznahill’s one-armed daughter, one of Falhadn’s students
Balyeznahedeen — Yeznahill’s younger daughter, a girl of two
Berut — a devout farmer, widowed long ago; many family members died in Enesma
Jeulberuthall — Berut’s grandson, a boy of six, Falhadn’s youngest student
Shelberuthall — Berut’s youngest grandson, a boy of four
Nudntryhill — a laborer
Nudntryhadn — seamstress, though she assists her husband
Nudntryhall the elder — apprentice to his father
Balnudntryhill — a cleric, Nudntryhill’s brother, imprisoned
Balnudntryhadn — Balnudntryhill’s wife, imprisoned
Nudntryhall the younger — Balnudntryhill’s son, apprentice to Sharanhall
Nudntry — Nudntryhill’s father, imprisoned
Nudntry the Maid — Nudntryhill’s mother and cousin, imprisoned
Sheljiridhadn — a female shepherd, a widow; has two daughters and a son
{Sheljiridhill} — a soldier, died one year ago
Jeulzannabalhadn — welcomes men into her home for the right price; called Zan
{Jeulzannahill} — a soldier, Zan’s late husband
{Jeulzannahadn} — Jeulzannahill’s first wife, died childless
Aerhall — Hrashhill’s only physician; he is called The Amputator
Baljesshall — headstrong apprentice to Denhall, a boy of fifteen
Eleim — an old shepherd and a widower, used to be a singer
Rudbalhenhedeen — an orphan, she works at Sarahill’s tavern
Sharanhall — a cleric, he sees Drea as a father figure, escaped with Drea from capital with Queen Jeufyn
Shelraadifhall — a soldier, he is an atheist
Shelwyn — a soldier, he is loyal to Drea unlike other soldiers
Ulmhall — apprentice to Falhadn, he is an orphan
Rudrud — a simpleton harpist with mismatched arms, he doesn’t speak unless singing nonsensical songs
THE ROYAL FAMILY IN HRASHMAAD, the motherland, also called Old Coast:
Yaangd XXI — king of the seventy-two tribes of Hrashmaad, Hrash incarnate; called The Unholy King or The Profane King
{Irida} — Yaangd’s first queen, threw h
erself from a window
Yaangdhill — the crown prince, Yaangd’s eldest son; called The Twisted Prince for his two disturbingly uneven arms
Yaangdhadn — Yaangdhill's wife, Uandem’s eldest daughter
Uandem — grand admiral, Yaangdhadn’s father, Yaangd’s boyhood best friend
Yaangdhill the younger — Yaangdhill’s eldest son, a brash man of twenty-one
Yaangdhadn the younger — his wife, Shelyrbm’s third daughter, called the Beauty
Shelyrbm — High Prophet, cowardly loyal to Yaangd
Yaangdhall the younger — Yaangd’s great-grandchild, boy of one
Yaangdhedeen the elder — elder Yaangdhill's elder daughter, betrothed to cousin
Uandemhall — Uandem’s eldest grandson, betrothed to cousin
Balyaangdhall — elder Yaangdhill’s second son
{Jeulyaangdhall} — elder Yaangdhill’s third son, died as a baby
Shelyaangdhall — elder Yaangdhill’s fourth son, a boy of nine
Balyaangdhedeen — elder Yaangdhill’s younger daughter, a girl of six who dreams of being queen
Unyr — Yaangd’s elder daughter, formerly Yaangdhedeen then Theulhadn, thirty-three
Theul the younger — Princess Unyr’s husband, a False Priest
Theul — chief False Priest, Theul the younger’s father; called the Jadeflame
Theulhill — Princess Unyr’s only son, newly married to Theulhadn
Theulhadn — newly married to Theulhill
{Balyaangdhill} — Yaangd’s second son who perished in an epidemic, survived by his widow and nine-year-old son
{Jeulyaangdhill} — Yaangd’s third son who died in the Fight at Fairwidow at Traamis the True’s feet, survived by his widow and two daughters
Bartembalhadn — Yaangd’s younger daughter, Bartemhill’s second wife, a pregnant widow
The Heirs of History: A Nation From Nothing Page 40