Before meeting with Yolen—the tinkerer recommended by Lord Dakhu—Therelin discussed his options with Kren. As Yolen was not a scholar of the Gallendris House, it seemed likely that the only way forward was to speak with Mazaar Gallendris herself—the Lady of the House and the ruler of Soros. Kren wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but had no other options to suggest. Continue reading Therelin 40
The irritation of the whistling bird eventually became the least of the group’s worries. Miresh eventually managed to send the bird away, but by that time the constant noise and periodic excrement that had marred their belongings had been joined by swarms of insects and crushing humidity. Everyone, save Aralim and Nill, dressed down when the bugs allowed. Miresh, Velad’na, and the crew of their riverboat went shirtless while even Narr removed his billowing travelling cape. Aralim’s sweat drenched through his worn cloak, while Nill maintained the traditions of her homeland and endured the heat and the sluggishness that came with it. Even Rema seemed preferable to the hundreds of miles of sweltering rainforest. Continue reading Aralim 152
The road to Soros had proven familiar to Therelin. It was in the hills and ridges along the north coast of Var Nordos that he had once appeared, windswept and confused, after Master Nolicrin of Saanazar had teleported him away. That had been the first time that Gethra had pushed back against Therelin’s quest for knowledge. Now, as they sought out the home of House Gallendris, it seemed a stark warning that answers often kept company with danger. Continue reading Therelin 39
The door to the Storm Fort meeting chamber slowly closed under Kelren’s push, latching with a quiet click. Kelren was left feeling bewildered—his meeting with the Three Commanders had been utterly unexpected. Kelren had much to think about now. He had been back in Eastpoint for a few weeks now, but much more was about to happen now. Continue reading East Storm Company 14
Selayna never did pay Aralim a visit, as he had suggested to her. The Overseer of Magic had proven interesting conversation—more so than Magistrate Fetres—but apparently, she did not feel the same. So, a week after the Emperor’s birthday, Aralim had decided that it was time to move on. Continue reading Aralim 151
The research fruitlessly continued. Of Tarro and the House of Kiaraka, Therelin and his comrades found nary a whisper. Kren and Dakhu periodically commented on Gravagan and his secretive Conclave—particularly revealing that much of the Conclave was of a far more patient disposition than their now-missing comrade. In fact, according to Lord Dakhu, Gravagan was often viewed as rash and overly eager to see the age of peace and unity—the ultimate goal of the Conclave—realized during his own life span. Continue reading Therelin 38
The Eternal Emperor’s 278th birthday was celebrated even here in Keb’kres, hundreds of miles from the capital. With musicians wandering the streets and a chorus of cheering and conversation, the new year was rung in properly. Nill—who had yet to experience His Ascendance’s day—found herself eagerly brought along by Aralim and Miresh. The entire party departed from the Wayward Stead just after lunch. Continue reading Aralim 150
Though Arn could not see it from his cell, a moon waned and waxed in the night skies above Starath. The month crept by slowly, and rather uneventfully. Most days—in the morning—Arn was taken to the questioning cell for Vellek’s attention. Some days, Vellek was called to handle other responsibilities, so Arn spent all day in his metal hole. Continue reading Arn 75
After the Whalestone Jail job, the mercenaries of Adrix’s squad were given a period of respite. Many had small cuts and bruises to heal while a few had more grave injuries. Brellik was off his feet for a few weeks, waiting for the bad sprain in his leg to heal. The gash up his side was all scabbed up but he had finally had the stitches removed. Relis—one of the handful of dedicated magicians in the Company’s ranks—had ensured no infection would take hold. Diggs, on the other hand, was still very much in recovery. The arrow had done serious damage to his shoulder and, upon removal, even grazed the lung. His survival was truly miraculous, but his future remained unclear. Continue reading East Storm Company 13
Rather than seek out the Magistrate of Keb’kres at his city hall, Aralim waited until one evening more than a month after his arrival in the port, and sought out the personal estate of the Magistrate. It was a pleasant evening, though the dispersed nature of Keb’kres’ garden-street and parks meant the bugs were worse. Mosquitoes, moths, and the birds that feasted on both zipped around the branches of the trees or gathered in clouds near some of the street lanterns. Continue reading Aralim 149