by Tom Lloyd
‘What happened here?’ she murmured through cracked lips. She looked startled, blinking against the light and wary of the ruined Land she’d awakened to. Jackdaw saw incomprehension in her eyes and realised she didn’t even know where she was.
‘War, and the cruelty of Gods,’ Venn answered distantly, not even bothering to look at her. The woman shrank towards Ilumene when she heard the coldness in Venn’s voice and he immediately put a comforting arm around her shoulders. She leaned gratefully into his body, bigger even than hers, not noticing the bloody lattice that covered the back of his hand.
‘What happened here is nothing for you to worry about,’ Ilumene repeated. ‘It’s all over now. A new dawn has come.’
‘Who are you?’ she whispered. ‘How did you find me?’
‘All that matters is that you’re safe now,’ he said, stroking her hair.
The woman’s face twisted. Jackdaw realised she was trying to smile at her rescuer. Breath of Vellern, she’s forgotten how to smile.
‘Can you tell me your name?’
The woman thought for a moment then blanched and shook her head.
‘You’ve forgotten it?’ Ilumene asked, adding comfortingly, ‘That’s of no matter. We’ll find you a new name; the most beautiful name there is.’ Ilumene sounded so benevolent Jackdaw could scarcely believe this was the same man who’d awakened him just before dawn by punching him in the face. He probed a tooth with his tongue; yes, it was still broken; it hadn’t been a dream.
‘Are you going to take me with you?’ she asked uncertainly. It was strange to see such vulnerability from someone who looked as if she was a mercenary, but if she could not remember her own name, she doubtless had no memory of her years of fighting too. It looked to Jackdaw like Ilumene’s brutal appearance was causing her to hesitate -as it damn well should; run, you fool, run from him! -but there was a hopeful innocence to her weathered and battered face. He could see she was desperate to believe any promise of protection against this blasted world in which she found herself.
‘Of course we are,’ Ilumene replied, and then gestured towards the object she was still clutching to her stomach. ‘Come now, you have had a terrible time and you will be weak for a while yet. Would it not be easier if my friend carried your burden?’
The former Harlequin hadn’t moved towards her, but he was watching her with rapacious intent.
She pulled the book closer to her chest and shook her head. The movement created a faint cloud of dust and Jackdaw realised her hair was not actually grey, just covered in ash. ‘It is mine,’ she whispered hoarsely.
‘As you wish,’ Ilumene said gently, ‘but can you tell me what it is? So I know best how to help?’
‘I—’ The woman looked up at him for a moment then hunched protectively over the book. The wrapping had slipped a little, but still Jackdaw couldn’t make out the words on it. He thought it looked unremarkable, just a plain leatherbound work like the dozens in the monastery library. ‘It’s my treasure,’ the woman said finally.
‘Treasure and ashes,’ Venn said suddenly.
She looked up fearfully as Ilumene chuckled beside her and brushed her sleeve, raising another cloud of dust. She coughed and spluttered, but never let go of the book.
The phrase banged around the inside of Jackdaw’s head; had he heard it before? It sounded like the sort of hateful pronouncements Rojak had come out with from time to time; was this all still part of the minstrel’s final plan?
‘They were burned,’ she replied, holding out her fist. Jackdaw saw she was gripping a piece of scorched paper in it and he frowned: the cellar hadn’t been touched by fire, so why had a book been burned? ‘All burned except this one,’ she went on, ‘all but my treasure.’
Jackdaw’s stomach tightened into a knot. Abbot Doren had fled with the monastery’s books, as well as the Crystal Skull entrusted to their care. It looked as if the senile old bastard had tried to burn the books, as if they had been part of what they were after when the Skull of Ruling sat in his possession. He stopped. Had they?
Ilumene nodded as the woman opened her hand and let the remains inside flutter down to join the other ash at her feet. He cocked his head sideways so he could see the book’s cover and made a small sound of approval.
Jackdaw couldn’t stop himself this time. ‘This was all about a book?’ he asked, incredulous. He squinted at the cover himself, and this time made out an embossed symbol, partly obscured by the girl’s hand. There was a pair of entwined initials above it, a pair of Vs, maybe, indicating the book had belonged to a nobleman once.
‘This is no mere book,’ Ilumene said, answering the question, much to Jackdaw’s amazement. ‘This contains the writings of a madman.’
‘I betrayed my God for a book?’ he asked in a daze.
‘Indeed,’ Ilumene said with satisfaction, taking the lady’s hand and starting to lead her away from the cellar steps, ‘a book - or a journal, to be precise: the journal of Vorizh Vukotic.’
Now Ilumene was finally talking, Jackdaw was determined to find out as much as he could. ‘The vampire? But he’s insane.’
‘Among other things,’ Ilumene conceded, ‘but does that not strike you as strange? He is a man cursed with sanity by Death himself, like his siblings, and yet, unlike his siblings, he goes insane. As a mage, tell me, what sort of power could overcome Death’s own curse?’
Jackdaw looked blank. ‘What power? I know none, bar Death’s own.’
‘There was a time,’ Venn said softly, ‘when creator and destroyer walked across the Land hand-in-hand, when they commanded the dust at their feet and the air above.’
‘Creator -you mean Life, Death’s bride? But she died at the Last Battle, and Aenaris was buried with her. Not even with her sword could the Queen of the Go—’ Jackdaw stopped abruptly, a look of horror sweeping across his face. He gaped at Ilumene, who gave him a broad smile in return.
Clutching his hands to his chest, Jackdaw wheezed, ‘Death’s magic? Death’s own weapon? But Termin Mystt was broken during the battle, it was destroyed . . .’
‘Not exactly,’ Venn said, nodding towards the book as the woman, her eyes wide, clutched it even tighter. ‘Not at all, in fact, but history is written by the victors, who tell what they choose to tell.’
‘How can you, of all people, say that?’ Jackdaw asked, still shaking. ‘You were a Harlequin, a teller of the past -a teller of the truth!’
‘Exactly so,’ Venn replied, a nasty gleam in his eye, ‘and I tell you truthfully: Termin Mystt drove a Yeetatchen maid insane when she touched the hilt during a feast in Lord Death’s honour. The Key of Magic is so powerful that it will twist the mind of anyone who touches it - and that was what drove Vorizh Vukotic mad. He stole the sword in desperation, trying to undo the curse on his family.’
‘You’re hunting Termin Mystt,’ Jackdaw said dully, overwhelmed. ‘And this book will tell you where he hid it?’ A small spark of anger flared inside him and he pointed at the woman holding the book. ‘What about her? Are you going to kill her to take the book from her?’
The woman gave a whimper of fear and shrank from Ilumene.
Jackdaw waited, shivering, for Ilumene to smash his fist into the woman’s face, but the man from Narkang only laughed.
‘But of course not,’ Ilumene said gently to the woman, ‘not when you’re with child. I was sent to protect you both.’
‘A child? But how do you know?’
‘It has been foreseen,’ Venn intoned, ‘and when your child is born, you will gift him your treasure.’
‘Him? It’s a boy?’ she asked. ‘I wanted a girl . . . I think I had a little girl, once—’
‘A boy,’ Ilumene said with certainty, ‘and one who will grow to be a prince. He will build you a palace of ivory.’ He smiled at her, his arm around her shoulder, and urged her to start walking.
Her steps hesitant, she passed Jackdaw, who was still frozen with shock.
‘A boy?’ he echoed hoarsely. ‘A princ
e?’
‘A new dawn, a new Land,’ Ilumene called cheerfully over his shoulder.
‘Oh Gods,’ Jackdaw breathed as a cold presence swept over him.
‘Gods,’ said the shadow softly, ‘will soon have no place in this Land.’
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Aftal, Voss -High Priest of Nartis in Tirah
Ajel, Lord -Yeetatchen nobleman, father of Xeliath
Alterr -Goddess of the Night Sky and Greater Moon and member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Amavoq -Goddess of the Forest, patron of the Yeetatchen and member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Amber -nickname of a Menin major in the Cheme Third Legion
Anarie -Goddess of Calm Glades, an Aspect of Amavoq
Ansayl, Jachen, Major - Farlan officer assigned to the rangers
Antern, Count Opess -advisor to King Emin
Aracnan -immortal wanderer of unknown origin
Aryn Bwr - battle name of the last Elven king, who led their rebellion against the Gods. His true name has been excised from history
Atro -Lord of the Farlan tribe before Lord Bahl
Azaer -a shadow
Bahl -Lord of the Farlan tribe before Lord Isak
Belarannar -God of the Earth and member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Bern, Jopel -High Priest of Death in Tirah
Beyn, Ignas -member of the Brotherhood
Bohreq (The Herdfather) -Aspect of Vrest, God of Beasts
Breytech -a Chetse trader
Brohm -a thug from Scree
Burning Man, the - one of the five Aspects of Death known as the Reapers
Carel (Carelfolden), Marshal Betyn -Farlan nobleman and commander of Lord Isak’s Personal Guard
Cerdin -God of Thieves
Certinse, Knight-Cardinal Horel -Commander of the Knights of the Temples, younger brother of Suzerain Tildek, Farlan by birth
Certinse, Cardinal Varn -Farlan cleric. Third son of the Tildek Suzerainty, younger brother of Suzerain Tildek, Knight-Cardinal Certinse and Duchess Lomin
Certinse, Duke Karlat -Farlan nobleman, ruler of Lomin, grandson of Suzerain Tildek
Cetarn, Shile -a Narkang mage in the employ of King Emin
Cetess, Pirlo -an artist native to Scree, one of King Emin’s agents
Chalat -deposed Lord of the Chetse
Charr -deceased Lord of the Chetse, Krann to Lord Chalat
Chirialt, Dermeness -Farlan mage
Chotech, General -Chetse general of the Knights of the Temples
Coran -white-eye bodyguard of King Emin
Corci, Prior -see Jackdaw
Corlyn, the -traditional name adopted by the head of the Farlan’s priest branch of the Cult of Nartis
Cytt, Lord -deceased Menin white-eye Krann
Daughters of Meqao -minor Aspects of Amavoq
Death -the Chief of the Gods
Dedev, Borl -Farlan ranger assigned to Lord Isak’s Personal Guard
Derl, Major Parr -soldier from Canar Thrit, member of the Knights of the Temples
Dev, General Chate -Chetse general and Commander of the Ten Thousand
Disten, Cardinal -Farlan cleric, once a legion chaplain
Doranei, Ashin -a member of the Brotherhood
Doren, Abbot -Abbot of an island monastery and High Priest of Vellern, God of Birds
Dupres, Syen - Farlan servant, steward to Suzerain Foleh
Echat, Tachrenn Chor -Chetse legion-commander of the Ten Thousand
Echer, High Cardinal -Farlan cleric, leader of the cardinal branch of the Cult of Nartis
Ehla - the common name Lord Isak is permitted to use for the witch of Llehden
Elierl, General Brinn -deceased Farlan general, once commander of the Lomin armies
Endine, Tomal -mage in the employ of King Emin
Eperal -Aspect of Ilit
Erizol (the fire-raiser) -Shaman from an extinct tribe in the Elven Waste, now a Raylin mercenary
Erwillen (the High Hunter) -Aspect of Verllern, God of Birds, and Aspect-Guide of Abbot Doren
Farlan, Kasi -Farlan prince during the Great War, in whose image white-eyes were created and after whom the lesser moon was named
Fedei, Wisten -the Seer of Ghorent
Fernal -a Demi-God living in Llehden
Fershin, Horman -Farlan wagon-driver, father to Lord Isak
Flitter -Raylin mercenary
Foleh, Suzerain Shoqe -Farlan nobleman
Fordan, Suzerain Karad -Farlan nobleman
Galasara -Elven poet from before the Great War
Gaur, General -hybrid warrior from the Elven Waste, general of the Menin armies and advisor to Lord Styrax
Gort, General Jebehl -general of the Knights of the Temples
Grast, Deverk -former Lord of the Menin
Great Wolf, the - one of the five Aspects of Death known as the Reapers
Grepel of the Hearths -Aspect of Tsatach
Haipar the shapeshifter -Raylin mercenary of the Deneli tribe from the Elven Waste
Headsman, the - one of the five Aspects of Death known as the Reapers
Helras -Farlan monk
Herald of Death -Aspect of Death
Hobble -Farlan monk
Ial -Aspect of Ilit
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
Introl, Tila -advisor to Lord Isak
Ironskin, Tachos -Raylin mercenary of Chetse origin
Isak -Lord of the Farlan, Chosen of Nartis and Duke of Tirah
Jackdaw (Prior Corci) -former monk of Vellern
Jeil -Farlan ranger assigned to Lord Isak’s Personal Guard
Jesters, the -Demi-Gods and Raylin mercenaries, sons of Death
Karkarn -God of War, patron of the Menin tribe
Kehla (of the Dawn Light) -an Aspect of Tsatach
Kelet, Sir Veyan -Farlan nobleman and Ascetite
Kels, Abbot -Farlan cleric, head of an abbey in Saroc
Keneg -Menin soldier of the Cheme Third Legion
Kenn, Shuel -Merchant from Scree and Farlan agent
Kerin, Swordmaster Orayn -Commander of the Swordmasters and Knight-Defender of Tirah
Kitar -Goddess of Harvest and Fertility, member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Lady, the -Fate, Goddess of Luck
Lahk, General -Farlan white-eye, commander of the forces in Tirah
Larat -God of Magic & Manipulation, member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Larim, Shotein -Menin white-eye mage, Krann to Lord Salen and Chosen of Larat
Lecha, Tachrenn Erach -Chetse legion-commander of the Ten Thousand
Leferna, Priata -member of the White Circle, leader of the uprising in Tor Milist
Legana -Farlan devotee of the Lady, employed as an assassin and spy
Lehm, Suzerain Preter -Farlan nobleman
Lehm, Countess Rais -Farlan noblewoman
Lesarl, Chief Steward Fordan -principal advisor to the Lord of the Farlan
Leshi -Farlan Ascetite soldier
Leteil, Lord -white-eye Lord of the Yeetatchen tribe and Chosen of Amavoq
Luripp, Count Aras -nobleman from Scree
Macove, Count Perel -Farlan nobleman and member of the Brethren of the Sacred Teachings
Malich, Cordein -deceased necromancer from Embere
Mariq, Shan - Farlan battle-mage
Matak Snakefang -Raylin mercenary
Mayel -a novice from Abbot Doren’s monastery, native of Scree
Mehar, Lieutenant Garap -aide to General Gort of the Knights of the Temples
Meqao (Hunter of the Silent Wood) -Aspect of Amavoq
Mihn ab Netren ab Felith -failed Harlequin, now friend of Lord Isak
Mikiss, Koden -Menin army messenger
Mistress -Raylin mercenary
Mochyd, High Chaplain -Farlan cleric. High Chaplain of the Farlan, head of the Chaplain branch of the Cult of N
artis
Morghien - a drifter of Embere descent, known as the man of many spirits
Nai -manservant to Isherin Purn, the necromancer
Nartis -God of the Night, Storms and Hunters. Patron of the Farlan tribe and member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon
Nelbove, Suzerain Atar -Farlan nobleman
Nerlos, Suzerain Jai -Farlan nobleman
Nostil, Queen Valije - Aryn Bwr’s queen, first owner of the Skull of Dreams
Nostil, Prince Velere - Aryn Bwr’s heir, first owner of the Skull of Ruling
Ortof-Greyl, Colonel Harn -member of the Knights of the Temples
Panro -Zhia Vukotic’s manservant
Portin, Prior -Farlan cleric, prior of an abbey in Saroc
Purn, Isherin -Menin necromancer once apprenticed to Cordein Malich
Quistal, General -Centaur tribal chief and general of the Menin armies
Rojak - Minstrel originally from Embere, first among Azaer’s disciples
Roqinn -Farlan white-eye cleric, High Priest of Belarannar in Tirah
Salen -Menin Lord of the Hidden Tower and Chosen of the God Larat
Saljin Man, the -daemon sent to plague the Vukotic tribe
Saroc, Suzerain Fir -Farlan nobleman and member of the Brethren of the Sacred Teachings
Sebe -member of the Brotherhood
Seliasei -minor Aspect of Vasle that now inhabits Morghien
Selsetin, Suzerain Pelan -Farlan nobleman
Shalstik -Elven oracle who predicted the return of the last king
Shandek -a criminal from Scree
Shart -Menin soldier of the Cheme Third Legion
Sheln, Brother-Captain Tanao -a member of the Brethren of the Sacred Teachings
Shinir -a Farlan Ascetite agent
Shotir -God of Healing and Forgiveness
Shyn -criminal from Scree
Siala, Mistress Fora -ruler of Helrect and Scree, member of the White Circle
Soldier, the - one of the five Aspects of Death known as the Reapers
Spider -crime-lord of Scree
Styrax, Kastan -white-eye Lord of the Menin and Chosen of Karkarn
Styrax, Kohrad -white-eye son of Lord Styrax
Styrax, Duchess Selar -white-eye mage, wife of Lord Styrax and mother of Kohrad
Tael, Sergeant-at-Arms -Farlan soldier
Teviaq -Demi-God, Raylin mercenary and daughter of Amavoq