Category: Farek

Farek decided to wait a few days after Valakono’s public announcement on the 10^th, before he met with her to discuss his own future service.  She had told the city all about it now—their alliance with the Atmos Septi, their decision to join the war, and even Her Highness Haladia’s death.  A royal funeral was to be prepared for the 1^st of the 3^rd Moon.  The lone Matriarch even told her citizens that she would be selecting new peers in the near future, after a proper period of mourning had been observed. Continue reading Farek 79

“Did you want to say anything?” Sha asked.

Farek glanced around the small, reeking room again.  He had expected Lord Sha to utter some judgement over the kneeling prisoner, before the executioner brought his axe down—but Sha looked content to give a nod and have it done.  Farek stared at Polanar for a moment.  The man had been brought in a few moments earlier, shoved down at a chopping block, and remained there quietly.  He looked starved. Continue reading Farek 78

When Farek asked if Matek could remain on account of his witnessing Polanar’s crimes, Matriarch Valakono waved her ring-laden fingers.  “I appreciate the sentiment, but I do not believe there is much more to discuss about Polanar.  Your man should remain in the hall with the other guards, unless needed.”

“Very well,” Farek replied.  He gave Matek a nod and was promptly left alone with Valakono and Sha. Continue reading Farek 77

“It’s been many years since I’ve been,” Archpriest Hartho said, in answer to Erril’s question.  The two sat behind Farek, in the middle of the rowboat.  Farek knelt in the bow, watching the mist rolling out of Cobblestone Bog as they glided into it.  Around them rose skeletons of centuries past—first a watchtower from the Reclamation Period, after the Fall of the Orrish; then the seaweed-strewn flying buttresses of the New Empire’s glory day, now an overgrown ribcage scarred by saltwater; and there, the waterlogged wooden buildings of yesteryear’s slums.  Farek lifted his eyes up to the dark mountaintops and the lonely castles that overlooked the city.  This was Noress-That-Was, a city in constant loss.

And Farek brought news of more. Continue reading Farek 76

The Wind Daughter had once been an ordinary cargo galley, Farek learned.  It had two masts sporting enormous sails, rowing lanes to seat 32 men, and a vast cargo deck at water’s level.  Now Daughter was fit with a ram, there were disassembled walls and ladders for archery towers running along the center of the rower’s deck, and three aisles of bunks had replaced any empty cargo space.  Farek, Erril, and Archpriest Hartho were given small cabins facing the hull on the top deck, but their guards each took opposing aisles in the cargo deck. Continue reading Farek 75

The morning air of Squora was cooler than Farek had expected.  The dry stretch of the Barren Road brought a chill each night, like a portent of the blistering heat to come when the sun rose.  That ominous impression persisted for Farek’s walk through the village roads.  His father’s sword was strapped to his waist.  When he had buckled it to his belt the day before, he had not expected to need it.  Today, he didn’t know what to expect. Continue reading Farek 74

The next few hours of Farek’s life were almost as confusing and depressing as the meeting of governments had been.  Coranno tried having Devender teleport the dreadful news to Matriarch Valakono, but their agreed-upon lockdown of Squora prevented even that.  The Grey Brethren were helping with manning a ring of patrols around the town, and sending a letter—even by carrier pigeon—would likely be prevented by archers. Continue reading Farek 73

When the Matriarchs did not arrive on the 19^th, a sense of impatience settled over Farek and his guards.  It was manifested when, at noon on the 20^th, a few servants from the Grey Brethren’s camp came to speak with them.  Farek assured them that his leaders would be arriving as soon as possible; he dismissed their tardiness as poor weather. Continue reading Farek 72

The day after their arrival in Squora, Reem came to tell Farek that the town had agreed to allow visitors to use their alehouse.  It would work out favourably for their income, and, according to Reem, show proper “Squora hospitality.”  Farek made certain that at least two of his guards always stayed at the house with Polanar, but he went that night with Devender and Matek. Continue reading Farek 71

The midday sun was hot and bright—blinding compared to the candlelit interior of an inn room.  Farek noticed it first, and then he felt the warm breeze against his back, the smell of salt flats, and the sound of a blacksmith working with a hammer.  He glanced around as he grew accustomed to his suddenly changed surroundings.  Journey complete, Devender relaxed his posture. Continue reading Farek 70