A desolate region lay between the South Cities along the coast of the Mydlonde Sea and the Langstan to the north. The people of Alcázar called it a desert in memory of the great dunes south of the Mydlonde Sea, whereas the Mearcians styled it as the southern wastelands. It rained only scarcely, and the g...
2020-09-30 18:23:46 +0000 UTC View PostOnce they could no longer be seen from the city walls, the fleeing pair turned away from the main road. Instead, they rode at a slower pace through the farmlands surrounding Alcázar; most of it was occupied by fruit trees able to survive the long summers with little rain. When they had not seen anoth...
2020-09-23 14:42:21 +0000 UTC View PostThe princess, the prisoner, and their horse hastened away from the palace. With pained expression and some difficulty, Brand got on the horse, sparing his leg. He pulled Jana up behind him, and they rode away. Few were on the streets at night, especially in the north-western part around the Kabir’s palace...
2020-09-16 14:04:21 +0000 UTC View PostAt night, the palace was quiet, but not empty. Guards patrolled the corridors. The Kabir and the hāgib might both work late, either together or apart. Sometimes, men or women would sneak from one chamber to another, carrying out activities best hidden from the light of day.
Tonight, Salim was am...
2020-09-09 09:45:43 +0000 UTC View PostOnce more, Salim stood outside Jana’s chamber as he had done each morning for five years. Once the attendant had helped the lady and left, he stepped inside. He did not have to make his presence known; she immediately turned to look at him. “Salim,” she called out, sounding apprehensive. “I ha...
2020-09-02 12:31:44 +0000 UTC View PostMorning was announced in the dungeon by a bowl of cold gruel pushed through the hatch into Brand’s cell. He had no spoon and had to use his fingers instead.
“He has a fine new coat of fur, but the mouse is back in his cage,” squealed Imad from the other side of the door. He was standing on his t...
2020-08-26 09:19:48 +0000 UTC View PostSeeing Brand disarm himself, several things happened at once. The crowd reacted with a multitude of emotions. The guards swarmed forward to seize Brand. Jalil got on his feet, staring at the prisoner with undisguised hatred.
“Prince Jalil!” The voice of the Kabir cut through the noise, and the cou...
2020-08-19 08:10:35 +0000 UTC View Post“Explain how you could be so careless to let a prisoner die.” Jalil’s voice was calm, but he spoke with a clenched jaw.
“There are marks from fingers around his neck,” Imad explained. He was sweating despite the room being cold. “The northerner must have strangled him.”
“Pre...
2020-08-12 09:39:53 +0000 UTC View Post“How is your progress?” Jalil’s mother stared at him under her heavy eyelids.
“The prisoners are breaking,” he claimed. “They will lead me to the remaining spies soon enough.”
“In other words, you have made no progress.” There was a steel edge in her voice.
“I am s...
2020-08-05 12:25:10 +0000 UTC View PostThe Kabir of Alcázar was lord of the city and its highest authority in all matters. His rule was undisputed, as long as trade flowed; when that was the case, all the merchant houses bent to his will, paid tribute, and supplied him with all he needed. Should the opposite ever happen, he would be in danger of bei...
2020-07-29 10:16:40 +0000 UTC View PostIt was dawn by the time the guards reached the Tower of Justice with their captives. As they crossed the maswar, the empty square was contrasted by the imposing structure looming above their heads. They entered the tower and found the entire ground floor was one hall. A score of guards sat scattered aroun...
2020-07-22 08:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostAt noon, the thief, the champion, and the knight met in the same place as before. Yawning a few times, Jawad pointed at the table. “Dress yourself,” he told Brand. “Get rid of all your shiny metal bits.”
“My sword stays,” he replied curtly. “But I have brought leather strips t...
2020-07-15 10:28:13 +0000 UTC View PostNight Labour
Alcázar
Beyond the southern gate in Alcázar lay the slums known as Almudaina. Each morning, once the gates opened, the residents of this area shuffled into the city to beg, steal, or seek work as day-labourers. Like a caravan of poor and dirty people, usually dressed in little more than rags, they moved through the cit...
2020-07-08 10:22:25 +0000 UTC View PostA caravan approached Alcázar from the north. While not unheard of, these were rare; most goods entered the city through one of the harbours or else by caravan from the east. Its origin was the city of Maleth, which lay up the coast towards Adalmearc. Maleth served as a minor port for ships th...
2020-07-01 10:28:46 +0000 UTC View PostThe fair at Silfrisarn was the largest of its kind in northern Adalrik, and it had taken place for centuries. At first, it had simply been for iron merchants to purchase ore from the mines of Isarn. Being placed between the copper veins of Vidrevi and the tin mountains of Heohlond, the fair had a natural ...
2020-06-24 10:44:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe Might of Wyrmpeak
Wyrmpeak
The cave lay before them. The darkness inside prevented them from seeing its depth. From his pack, Jorund pulled out torch and tinderbox, lighting a flame. “Both of you stay behind me at all times,” the Dwarf impressed upon his companions. “If we come across anything, anything at all, you both run...
2020-06-17 16:32:19 +0000 UTC View PostThe Mihtea roared past them, strengthened by all the waters of the mountain’s summit melted by summer sun. It was some hundred feet from bank to bank in this particular place, and it flowed with a swift current.
“Can either of you swim?” asked Jorund. Both his companions shook their heads. ...
2020-06-10 21:09:03 +0000 UTC View PostThe second morrow after the decision had been made, the small expedition left the Citadel. Despite his day of recovery, Jorund grumbled at the early hour and exertion, but his words held little sting. He wore a great pack on his back, easily carrying twice as much as his young companions tallied together....
2020-06-03 08:45:49 +0000 UTC View Post
Next day, Egil sat alone in the scriptorium when he heard the door open. “Kate?” he questioned.
“Not quite,” Godfrey replied, entering the library hall.
Egil stuck his head out from the adjacent room. “You’re here! I haven’t seen you in months!”
“I...
2020-05-27 10:45:41 +0000 UTC View PostIn the study of the dragonlord, the ruler of Adalrik toiled away daily. While the common people assumed that power resided with the lord protector, Jarl Valerian of Vale, most residents at court were wise to the truth; his brother was not only the Kingmaker, but also the man making all decisions of ...
2020-05-20 10:04:01 +0000 UTC View PostAbout a month after they left Hareik, the double walls of Middanhal rose in the horizon to meet them. They had encountered the first Order patrol a few days prior; unlike in the lands of Isarn, the soldiers simply let them pass. As they came closer to the city, they met several more contingents of Order troo...
2020-05-13 13:42:49 +0000 UTC View PostRoot and Sword
Isarn
Damien rubbed his eyes. When he was done, he still saw an empty spot where Gunvor had gone to rest. Her belongings were not to be seen either. With some difficulty, he got on his feet and limped around the remains of the campfire. There was an impression in the ground where she had lain, and footsteps led back to...
2020-05-06 14:25:32 +0000 UTC View PostOn the first morning in Adalrik, Damien woke to find himself alone. It took him a while to notice this. He stretched and rubbed his eyes, drinking greedily from their water skin. He only realised her bedroll was empty after getting up and glancing towards where Gunvor had lain herself to sleep. For a ...
2020-04-29 08:05:10 +0000 UTC View PostThe odd pair had not come far from Hareik before the bickering began.
“Why would you only pack water?” Damien’s voice was indignant.
“It’s good enough for Austre’s trees, it’s good enough for us.” The words were spoken through a clenched jaw.
“Wine. Spirits. Ale. ...
2020-04-22 12:05:44 +0000 UTC View PostUnder the Hill
The Alfskog
While an unlikely pair ambled southward, Godfrey left Hareik on a northward course. He travelled along a near empty road; nothing but small villages scattered around the endless forests of Vidrevi lay north of Hareik. The only other travellers were the occasional peddlers, supplying the villages with finer ...
2020-04-15 11:16:09 +0000 UTC View PostOne month after parting ways with Brand, Godfrey walked on the Kingsroad that connected Adalrik with Vidrevi. It ran from Middanhal north-west to Silfrisarn and continued further west in the shadow of the Weolcan Mountains until it reached Trehaf by the sea. Before that, one branch went directly north towards...
2020-04-08 11:21:45 +0000 UTC View PostFar to the south-east of Rund lay a solitary peak. It had many names in the tongues of the outlanders, Elves, or Dwarves. Among the Mearcians, it was known of old as Niðheim, though none of their tribes had ever beheld this mountain with their own eyes. To them, it was a name of legends, long since faded from ...
2020-04-01 13:31:05 +0000 UTC View PostThe Mearcians continued their march until nightfall. Despite the miles they had traversed, the Langstan remained empty; the Order only maintained control further west. Using its ancient stonework for their own purpose, they erected primitive tents made from spears and cloak placed against the wall....
2020-03-25 11:31:12 +0000 UTC View PostMore than a month after his arrival in Rund, Godfrey sat enjoying food and drink at one of its many taverns. Manzik’s room had long since been reclaimed by the shahrban’s offices and delegated to another, more faithful servant, leaving Godfrey homeless. Since then, he had drifted from place to place,...
2020-03-18 15:26:52 +0000 UTC View PostBefore sunrise, fourteen men and women chosen by Doran stood assembled in the Mearcian camp. Along with Matthew and Leofric, they gathered around Brand. The group was mixed and representative of the band as a whole, consisting of a few kingthanes and other drakonians, some highlanders and heathmen, and even ...
2020-03-11 07:55:13 +0000 UTC View Post