Eldárien finds Rórlain at the edge of Fálstead just as the last light of day is fading from the sky and darkness is beginning to cloak the land in deep shadow. He is easy to find, as he has already started a campfire whose light burns bright in the air, orange and yellow, and whose … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.11 – Questions and Answers” »
Eldárien and Rórlain make camp under the canopy of stars, the sky unobstructed above them except for that part hidden by the mountains rising in the west, snow-capped but now a dull mass of black against the speckled firmament. They have traveled four days across the highlands, walking for most of the day with only … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.10 – The Home of My Youth” »
“In the presence of all the witnesses here and in the name of the divines, especially Mórnwyn, patroness of love and marriage, dost thou, Afadír, receive Býlja unto thyself, that she may be thine portion and heritage during the trials and joys of this life, and that with her thou mayest bring forth children in … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.9 – Light Behind the Stars” »
When Eldárien opens his eyes again, the unnatural darkness is gone, and the cavern in which he finds himself is clear. It is dim, yes, but not pitch black, with a high sloping roof visible twenty or twenty-five feet overhead and light streaming in from the passage to his left, the passage that he had … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.8 – Interweaving of Hearts” »
Since the day is already inclining towards evening, Ródric suggests that Eldárien wait until the morning to set out in search of Rórlain. And, though Eldárien is anxious to begin the search, fearing that, if it is not too late already, it will be soon, he understands the prudence of the recommendation. If anything, whatever … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.7 – In the Darkness” »
Eldárien pulls his pack tight against his back and adjusts the greatsword, now in a leather sheath slung over his shoulder, as he stands in the small yard between the two houses of the Feskar family. It is early morning, just after sunrise, and the air is quite cold, with a hard freeze the night … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.6 – To the West” »
Eldárien awakes before the first morning light and sits up on the straw-covered bed. The air is indeed cold, and he pulls the furs tight around his body as his breath floats as a cloud of mist in the air before him. He does not stay like this for long, however, as a mysterious restlessness … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.5: Sera Galaptes” »
The Yjind Mountains open their arms to embrace Elmáriyë as the golden sun sets behind them, sending shimmers of brilliant color across the sky and changing the lingering clouds from gray-white to various hues of purple, blue, and pink. She pushes Fenárion on until it is almost dark and the lingering light of dusk is … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.4 – Homecoming” »
“Tell me the meaning of your braids or your knots,” Miránd asks, his youngest daughter, Ylínia, upon his knee, a bit of bread in her hands as she eats it in tiny little bites. The two older children sit together by the hearth, their muffled voices rising and falling in play as they speak to … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.3 – Memories of Loss” »
Thick clouds of incense spiral and dance upward in the air, released from the coals burning in the bowls surrounding the altar, as Elmáriyë prostrates herself on the cold stone floor of the temple. She inhales the strong and pungent scent, richness released through burning flame, and thinks back on the path she walked to … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.2 – A New Beginning and an Uncertain Future” »