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” »
“Tell me the meaning of the braids and knots in your hair,” 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 … 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” »
“Echoes of an ancient myth emerge from the mists of time, vibrating from the silent word before all sounds, unspoken voice given utterance… reverberating deep in this heart of mine. Light from the origin of time shines forth as rays from the luminosity deeper than sun and moon and stars… bathing the inmost recesses of … Read More “Dawnbringer: Lightborn 1.1 – A Sky Above the Waves” »