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 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
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
For the fifth time, Aralim wandered the Great Gardens of Keb’kres. This time, he had Miresh along—she had managed to step away from her studies with Master Velad’na. As they wandered through the vine-encrusted steps and looked up at the eclectic collection of trees, Aralim explained his thinking to her thusly: “As you know, I’ve often enjoyed the kapok trees as a metaphor for the Path. They grow so large, absorbing nutrients from the area around them—yet they are so oblivious to the smaller trees that begin to grow out of their very own crevices.” Continue reading Aralim 148
The city of Keb’kres looked not unlike Maykren, though it was not built upon a major river delta. Instead of the buildings dotting islands and then dispersing where water ran, the buildings of Keb’kres made way for groves of trees, small forested hills, and the occasional meandering stream. From the harbour, the city looked more like a collection of villages than a great settlement, but Aralim knew the truth from his time in Numa’nakres—Keb’kres was a major trading port on Trader’s Bay, and among the oldest cities ruled by Tag’na’s Empire. Continue reading Aralim 147
A little over a week later, Aralim and his friends stood aboard the deck of a ship out of Maykren. It was one of a dozen cargo vessels that made the journey at any given time, and served the Walkers just right. Continue reading Aralim 146
Beyond the black-stained houses with their caved-in roofs was the stone pillars and collapsed walls of the warehouse—the origin of the fire that had burned through the harbour that first night Aralim had arrived in Maykren. Aralim, Miresh, and Nill stood in front of it, surveying the damage. Narr and the Aura waited nearby, watching quietly as usual. Continue reading Aralim 145
After breakfast, Aralim set out for the Magistrate’s Hall with most of his companions in tow. Only Velad’na remained at the Shipwright Stead, content to study from his books while the others pursued the investigation. Miresh’s training was proceeding well, but her studies had begun not three years earlier; she was adept at picking up certain skills, but others took hours of long practice. Nill was surprised that magic was not a thing that happened instantly—most spells took recurring and drawn-out focus to achieve the desired result. It was only through great repetition that magicians were able to perform some results in mere moments. Continue reading Aralim 144
Please read In Recent Years: Introduction before reading this post.
Aralim arrives in Lantern Town, a small island town on the southern edge of what most consider the “Known World.” The Walker of the Path—a devout pilgrim that believes in questing for sources of power and enlightenment—meets young Miresh, an orphan child whose parents have abandoned her, among the beggars in the streets of the religious town. She asks if she may walk the Path with him, and he agrees. Continue reading In Recent Years: Aralim
To Farek’s appreciation, the Advisory reacted quickly upon learning of the delegates. Farek and his party contacted the City Watch a few days after their arrival, if only to advise of their presence and desire to meet with the Commanders. A few days after that, a steward visited them at Ralin’s Stay to assess their needs and interests in Ith. The steward’s report earned them an invitation to meet with the Advisory at the Capital Barracks on the edge of Pranan’s Hill. Continue reading Farek 90