Category: Aralim

The mouth of the Opal Valley was guarded by scattered copses of various wide-leafed trees and maze-like trails of shrubs.  A river wove through the field-lands, spilling out from a woodland-ringed lake that spread along the bottom of the vale.  A dozen streams bubbled down the three adjacent mountains in thin, silvery falls.  Aralim tread over a narrow wooden bridge as he wandered along the road; a mountain breeze stirred the droplets of water from one such lake tributary and dropped them into the grey streaks of his beard. Continue reading Aralim 133

Aralim came upon a camp as he trudged along the easterly road.  It was twilight and the foothills around him cast long shadows as the sun set beyond the Yurna Mountains behind him.  A traveller had a small fire burning on the slope of one smaller hill.  He saw a few people sitting around it as he approached. Continue reading Aralim 132

Naran’s Terrace had become something of a favourite meeting place for Aralim.  The tea brewery overlooking the Ake’ma River waterfront served delicious beverages and baked goods, usually kept some tables free for the nobility—with whom Aralim was somehow included—and seemed blissfully empty of the Emperor’s Aura.

Today’s company at the Terrace was none other than Councillor Soot, the ambitious schemer whom Aralim had recently met following his near-death at the hands of the enigmatic bandit gang.  With his ideas of inciting the masses delayed by the Emperor’s considerations, and his staff nearly complete pending the completion of its lantern, Aralim was had little of his “normal” tasks to do.  His new undertaking was inspired by the words in Rattar’s secretive letter. Continue reading Aralim 131

Aralim had already laced up his sandals when Nill appeared, bursting through the door carrying a long linen-wrapped tube.  She grinned at him and blurted, “Aralim, you have to see this. It might be the largest map either of us have ever seen before.”

They hurried into the dining room, with a disapproving glance from Ko’nagar at Aralim’s dusty footwear.  Nilless hurriedly unrolled the map on the table while explaining, “This is the culmination of Rema’s master cartographer, your own insights from the lands south of the Stormy Sea, and my knowledge of the regions your friend Dullah had mapped in Tal’lashar.” Continue reading Aralim 130

The Eternal Emperor was sinking a broken piece of bread into a dip thick with seeds when his Aura escorted Aralim out of the iron pillars.  The Walker was often surprised by how lavishly Tag’na dined—after all, he preferred to dress shirtless and walk barefoot across the warm floor of his Palace.  His ample table offerings, even for a midday lunch, seemed more extravagant than many of his other habits.  There were three meats—one Aralim was certain was heavily seasoned boar steaks—a soup set above a candle, a few baskets of various breads and fresh produce, and dozen accompaniments of sauces, seasonings, and snacks.  As Tag’na waved Aralim forward and finished his mouthful, Aralim thought, No doubt he’s eaten every food his chefs can prepare to the point of exhaustion. Continue reading Aralim 129

Aralim had an idea, but—before he brought it to Tag’na’s attention—he needed to investigate its viability.  As Councillor Soot had said, a lord had been appointed to sift through the large volume of civilian leads to report only the ones with promise.  Aralim arrived at the Iron Palace to speak with the appointed lord; the guards directed him to a pavilion set up in the courtyard, partway between the Palace Gate and Fort Marana, which was built into the wall itself adjacent to the Palace proper. Continue reading Aralim 128

When he reached the Iron Palace, Aralim told one of the guarding Aura that he would like to talk to Soot.  He followed the Aura until the steps up to the front of the Palace, but then waited.  The Aura delivered a note to the Second Court, which was mid-session.  Instead of interrupting their business, Aralim awaited a discreet reply.  The Aura brought another note in response to Aralim’s first.  Soot had written with a small wedge of charcoal: “We can meet after Court adjourns.” Continue reading Aralim 127

It took a few days to arrange a time to meet with Wella Hanez after the eventful wedding day.  As expected, none of the guards were able to turn up any leads after Soot’s attack.  At least the Councillor had survived.  Wella’s schedule seemed full of meetings with the wives of other city officials, or ladies of import themselves, but she managed to find an opening on the 8^th and invited Aralim for tea at a waterfront brewer’s. Continue reading Aralim 126

The wedding of Hayan and Arith was held at a vineyard on the spacious north side of Rema.  Estates, lodges, and work-yards dotted a landscape of sapling trees and deforested, grassy hills.  The chalet where they hosted the ceremony was decorated with white silk wall-drapes and floral arrangements that would have filled a dozen carts.  Aralim wondered what deals Hayan had struck so far during his tenure as a Selected to afford such extravagance—others had assured Aralim that Selected were not paid because their jobs provided personal reward, though he, personally, had never seen any.  He had no need for excessive capital. Continue reading Aralim 125

Fortress Marana bustled with soldiers and servants.  The mosaic bricks that spread across the floor in the shape of a grand tree were still drying from the morning rain.  Aralim walked across those gleaming branches, his old staff seemingly mute in the sound of heavy boots marching and sharpening wheels turning.  He must have stood out in his dark green cloak and grey-brown hair, for Sergeant Grendar, coming down the steps of a nearby barracks, spotted him while everyone still seemed like nondescript soldiers to Aralim. Continue reading Aralim 124