Category: Therelin

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 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

“How long have you been off Keth?” Lord Dakhu asked.

Therelin was sitting across from the olive-skinned Raderan lord while they ate. Kren was quietly digging in at Therelin’s right, while Dakhu’s servants waited stealthily in the periphery around the table. They had been discussing life in the city, but this turn of the conversation really took Therelin back. So much had transpired since he had left Keth: he had travelled to a handful of new places; he had seemingly made an enemy of Nolicrin; he had learned of the Tether and had sworn by it, too; and he had witnessed a ruthless attack at an otherwise peaceful haven. Continue reading Therelin 37

Three more weeks dragged by the researchers in the dusty Noressi Archives. During the second, two different lords had visited to speak with Therelin and Kren. It seemed that Matriarch Valakono had spoken of their labours to at least some of her court, but fortunately even their visitors had not pried or disrupted their time too heavily. During the third week—wondering if they would learn anything more of Tarro here in Noress-That-Was—Therelin began to think about the small fleet they had seen depart during the last Moon. He imagined soldiers fighting and dying as he sat by a lantern reading from a book. Continue reading Therelin 36

Therelin, Kren, and Lord Dakhu spent many, long, eye-straining hours in the Archives of Noress-That-Was. Sometimes, it felt as though the world was speeding up—while Therelin’s days had only slowed down. Dakhu reported their endeavors to Matriarch Valakono, and recounted her approval to Therelin—and so the work continued, treading ever-closer to its elusive destination. Continue reading Therelin 35

Kren looked up from his bowl of broth. He glanced from the servant to Therelin and then back again.

“That’s me,” Therelin said, and waved the servant closer. The Lowtide Tavern was frequented by drunks, sailors, and mercenaries, and Therelin wasn’t keen on them all knowing his business. Keeping his business private was something new to Therelin, but he was beginning to see how secretive some of his peers were. Continue reading Therelin 34

When he had a chance around his efforts to earn them some coin, Therelin sought out Master Gheran once more—the magician who had hinted that it was Master Myandin that had kept secrets from Therelin, not the other magicians he had crossed paths with during his initial exploration out of Keth. It had been the better part of a year since Therelin’s first encounter with Gheran in the streets of Noress-That-Was. Continue reading Therelin 33

For two weeks, Therelin and Kren worked for wages in Noress-That-Was.  Kren spent long days relearning the baker’s trade, while Therelin harvested those herbs he knew and began learning about those he didn’t.  He brought nutmeg and mace to the shop where Kren worked and sold it for as much as Kren was making each day.  Once, he was lucky enough to find a few saffron plants amid the shrubbery of a rare clearing in the tightly knit broadleaf forest. Continue reading Therelin 32

And so, Therelin’s strange journey across Gethra brought him back to Noress-That-Was.  Though he was continuing to grow in skepticism, since leaving his home a year earlier, a part of Therelin wondered if the spirits of the world had known he would come here.  It was hard to believe in the coincidence that Master Nolicrin had teleported him here half a year before he chose to come of his own motives. Continue reading Therelin 31