After gathering their supplies, Eldarien and Rorlain set off on horseback, their faces to the early morning sun. The land before them is flat, an almost uninterrupted plain stretching to the east, dotted with farmland of wheat and beans and strawberries, and pastures for livestock as well, interspersed with groves of trees and ponds or small lakes … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.16: Like the Wind” »
“Can we rest for a bit before continuing further?” Eldarien asks, sitting down at the side of the road. “Most definitely,” Rorlain replies, crouching down beside him. “It is after lunch time already, and we have both eaten very little over the previous few days and more.” After a moment, he adds, “How are you … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.15: Seeking Aid” »
Malrûn departs shortly after their conversation is concluded, accepting from Eldarien and Rorlain some provisions and wishing them well on their journey to the southeast—to Ristfand—while they wish him the same on his journey westward. They are deeply aware that both directions lead into danger, even unto death, but they do not hesitate, for each … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.14: Moradoch Steppe” »
The guards are absent from the entrance to the barrow when Eldarien, Rorlain, 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 1.13: Questions Unanswered” »
It is not long before the company of men is walking more or less single file—with the exception of Rorlain and Eldarien, 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, Eldarien cannot help but remember the last … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.12: Secrets in the Deep” »
Eldarien finds Rorlain at the edge of Falstead 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 crackling … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.11: Questions and Answers” »
Eldarien and Rorlain 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 1.10: The Home of My Youth” »
“In the presence of all the witnesses here and in the name of the divines, especially Mornwyn, patroness of love and marriage, dost thou, Afadir, receive Bylja 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 1.9: Light Behind the Stars” »
When Eldarien 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 taken down … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.8: Interweaving of Hearts” »
Since the day is already inclining towards evening, Rodric suggests that Eldarien wait until the morning to set out in search of Rorlain. And, though Eldarien 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 there … Read More “Dawnbringer 1.7: In the Darkness” »
