I ask myself why nostalgia is such a powerful and visceral emotion, why my mind is inexorably drawn to the early years of my life as to a haven of security and a space of precious beauty, even though it was also a time of darkness, hardship, and loss. Is it solely because in this … Read More “Dawnbringer: Legacy – Prologue” »
Winfred was a Relihím from his earliest days, begotten, raised among the robber band though he was too young to understand. He knew only that they went from place to place and never lacked for good food. – Where did all these things come from? was not a question he thought to ask, for his … Read More “Winfred The Wayward Relihím” »
Tracks through the heavy snow I tread as I make my way home to bed, the runners on my laden wain digging in the drifts on the lane. – The long day’s work is done at last and I hope for my soon repast, as the sun dips low, casting light, my weary bones ask … Read More “A Farmer’s Last Return” »
In woodland bright the gentle west wind’s call bids Eldoreth arise, depart from all, and on the shore of the great, boundless sea he hears a silent voice speak audibly in words without sound, yet still echoing, to build a ship and to go a-sailing across the wild and unknown ocean’s breadth to a place … Read More “The Voyage of Eldoreth” »
Ûsric was born of Eláric of Kora in the year 564 of the First Age of Telmérion, and he was raised in the traditions of his ancestors, devoted to the Seven and the One, though his special predilection was for Hæliána, the goddess of the ocean and of the growth of living things. And though … Read More “The Fruit of a Man’s Life: The Founding of the Village of Hinfast” »
The sun sends light slanting through the thick canopy of trees, causing dappled light to dance upon the forest floor, warm and majestic, humble and serene. Hældáris walks through the dense underbrush, his leather boots damp with the morning dew. For twenty years he has lived in the citadel upon the mountain, and for as … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn – Epilogue” »
The spring sun shines warm and full upon the face of the land, bathing the mountains and valleys, and the plains rippling away to the east, in a gentle and yet brilliant light. Peaks still capped with snow look down, as if turning a kind and gentle eye upon the small hamlet—hardly more than a … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 4.16 – Radiance and Wonder” »
“To confront the heart of darkness, now, all we have is our weakness. No longer can we wield the light as a weapon. It is the light itself, alone, far beyond us, upon which we must rely for deliverance and salvation.” Saying this, Eldárien looks tenderly at his sister as if he can still clearly … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 4.15 – At the Heart of Darkness” »
Were it not for the encouraging and consoling words of Hiliána, the grief gripping the hearts of Eldárien and Elmáriyë would have crushed them into incapacity. This does not mean that their hearts are not grievously sorrowful and filled with lament for the terrors that they have witnessed at the hands of the one who … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 4.14 – Ascending into the Depths” »
Elmáriyë wakes to Eldárien’s voice and to the touch of his hand upon her cheek. In a whisper he says, “Wake up, but remain still and quiet.” As the grogginess of sleep fades away, she sits and tries to look at her brother in the darkness, but she can see nothing. The fire has burned … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 4.13 – Mærdenási” »
