The guards are absent from the entrance to the barrow when Eldárien, Rórlain, and Malrûn step into the light of day. They look around cautiously, blinking in the brilliance of the midday sun, and try to decide the best course of action. “Do you think the rest of the company survived?” Malrûn asks anxiously. “I…I … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.13 – Questions Unanswered” »
The company almost immediately departs from Fálstead, walking more or less single file—with the exception of Rórlain and Eldárien, for whom walking in such a way is impossible—through the woods to the northeast. The entrance to the barrow is not far, and as they walk Eldárien cannot help but remember the last time he passed … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.12 – Secrets in the Deep” »
Eldárien finds Rórlain at the edge of Fálstead just as the last light of day is fading from the sky and darkness begins to cloak the land in deep shadow. He is not difficult 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 has cleared. 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 inclines already toward 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 tracks … 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 scabbard 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, having frozen hard the night before, … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.6 – To the West” »
Before the first morning light has dawned upon the world, Eldárien awakes in the straw-covered bed, sitting up and drawing the furs around him in the bitter chill. He does not stay like this for long, however, as the restlessness of his heart impels him to move, and he swings his feet off the bed … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.5: The Barrow of 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 leads Fenárion on until it is almost dark and the lingering light of dusk dwindles, … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.4 – Homecoming” »