The festival of Sun’s Height comes with tears and mourning and with the painful experience of the beginnings of Imperial occupation. The palace of the hæras is converted into the dwelling of Erineas, second commander of the armies of the Empire, and from here he exercises his authority with an iron hand. The first thing … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.12: A Festival of Mourning” »
Eldarien’s heart stirs him awake as deep anguish settles upon him like 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 2.11: The Thinnest Thread of Hope” »
As Elmariyë, Rorlain, and Eldarien emerge from the palace of the hæras, they find the streets quiet and the light of dawn cresting the horizon in the east. The company of men over whom Rorlain has command stand in the gardens of the palace as in a dream, exhausted and scarred, both externally and internally, … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.10: At the Breach” »
Rorlain 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 druadach, who, even with bare claw and teeth, sow terror among the people. If these beasts … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.9: The End of the Contest” »
It is evening of the day of Eldarien’s meeting with the hæras, and Cirien walks with head bowed 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 Eldarien to have with Rorlain. Ever since these men arrived in … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.8: Terror in the Night” »
After the conversation with Elmariyë in the courtyard, Eldarien 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: Eldarien, Rorlain spoke with me this evening and brought the news … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.7: The Claws of Night” »
Eldarien 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 gone now and may never return, having fled … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.6: Light and Darkness” »
The clatter of wood against wood echoes through the training ground as Rorlain 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 2.5: A Messenger Comes” »
The earth crunches softly under Tilliana’s feet as she paces slowly between the ruined buildings of the ghetto. Long already have the burned bodies of her fellows been removed and buried, and the roads—more like paths of loose dirt and stone—cleared of rubble and refuse. But even with this, the ghetto remains, and may always … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.4: Thoughts and Memories” »
A few days later, Eldarien walks through the fields surrounding the city of Ristfand, immersed in thought. Scattered homesteads dot the landscape, simple houses of wood or stone with thatched roofs, and here or there a larger estate, smoke spiraling into the clear sky from many a hearth. There are numerous livestock fenced or stabled: … Read More “Dawnbringer 2.3: Hearts United” »
