In the morning they set off early, as soon as it is light, for there is no reason to linger in the damp and the cold, and they shall find it easier to stay warm by moving than by staying still. The precipitation has ceased now, though the sky remains heavily overcast, dark with clouds … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.14 – Against the Maeres of Night” »
The day of departure comes much too quickly, or so it feels. It is as if the smoke from the burial fires has hardly settled before dawn breaks on the morning that they must leave Ristfánd for the unknown destiny that awaits them in the west. Eldárien takes comfort in the fact that he travels … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.13 – Into the Mountains” »
The festival of Sun’s Height comes with tears and mourning and the painful experience of the beginnings of Imperial occupation. The palace of the hæras is converted into the dwelling of Erinéäs, second commander of the armies of the Empire in Telmérion, and from here he exercises his authority with an iron hand. The first … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.12 – A Festival of Mourning” »
Eldárien’s heart stirs him awake as deep anguish settles upon him as an incalculable weight begging to be borne. And were it not for the preceding peace, which even now does not depart, holding him at the very foundation of his awareness, deeper than thought or feeling, he would be crushed by the feelings that … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.11 – The Thinnest Thread of Hope” »
As Elmáriyë, Rórlain, and Eldárien emerge from the palace of the hæras, they find the streets quiet and the light of dawn cresting the horizon in the east. The sun’s rays paint the sky a deep reddish hue and its light refracts from the buildings of the city in a similar tenor as if it … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.10 – At the Breach” »
Rórlain leads his half-company of archers through the narrow streets of the city, though now they fight not so much with bow as with sword, lance, and axe. For these streets are flooded with the creatures of darkness, the vrû’ádach, who, even with bare claw and teeth, sow terror among the people. If these beasts … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.9 – The End of the Contest” »
It is evening of the day of Eldárien’s meeting with the hæras, and Cirien walks with bowed head in the inner courtyard of the temple. He hopes that the meeting brought forth good fruit, and he is concerned also for the conversation that he encouraged Eldárien to have with Rórlain. Ever since these men arrived … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.8 – Terror in the Night” »
After the conversation with Elmáriyë in the courtyard, Eldárien returns to his room. Stepping through the darkness and lighting a lantern fastened to the wall, he notices a folded note on the floor—clearly slipped under his door. He takes it, unfolds it, and reads: Eldárien, Rórlain spoke with me this evening and brought the news … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.7 – The Claws of Night” »
Eldárien wakes early, long before dawn, and his heart is restless. He rises from bed and dresses, then sits in a chair, his head resting against his hands. Only gradually does he remember what woke him: a dream, or rather a nightmare. Many of the specifics are now gone and may never return, having fled … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.6 – Light and Darkness” »
The clatter of wood against wood echoes through the training ground as Rórlain parries the strike of the captain of the guard. He then lunges forward and seeks to land a blow on his trainer, but the latter deftly steps to the side and blocks the wooden training axe with his shield and then, in … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 2.5 – A Messenger Comes” »