1400 years before the events of Through the Dark Wood, Sharizeen "Sarie" Cor walked the thriving land of Darlandis. This is the third installment of her tale which will have some bearing on the events to follow in the TODTOL universe. If you have not read the first two posts, click HERE.
Post 3
Having
left just in time to avoid becoming one of prince Aeron’s concubines, Sarie Cor
made her way swiftly through Underqwall and the districts beyond to the gates
of Darlan. As promised she was met there by guards friendly to her and opposed
to the younger prince’s plans for her. At the word of Eerid Freen a horse had
been saddled and loaded with all the supplies she would need to make the
journey to Adrel Teng. It was three days ride to the east to reach the monastery.
The road leading there was weatherworn and underused. Early on the second day,
the terrain began to rise into a line of low hills. By mid-afternoon, she’d
crested them and could see The Cauldron boiling below her—or so the valley of
Adrel was called. It was more like a great crater than a valley and the wind seemed
to storm at all times through the emerald and golden trees, whipping them to
and fro and lending the surface of the forest a look not unlike a boiling
cauldron. In the center of it all was a lone hill rising above the forest. Crowning
that hill, and delved all throughout it, was the monastery of Adrel Teng.
Sarie
had to camp that night in the woods of Adrel and she was surprised to find the
trees near her did not boil with the wind. She slept not just soundly but
sweetly, her dreams full of joyful wonders. In the morning she awoke refreshed
and set off for the monastery. She was surprised by the stillness
about her. Not far off she could hear the trees whipping as if the wind raged
through them, but all around her the forest was calm—as if the trees and the
wind were making way for her.
When
she reached the base of Adrel Teng, her horse came suddenly to a halt. There in
the path before a great stone arch was a man robed in shades of blue and green like
the colors of a peacock’s feather. His hooded cowl was a dark teal and shrouded
his face in shadow. The billowing indigo robe that fell open from his shoulders
was belted at the waist by yet another shade of blue and revealed an intricate
doublet beneath. Sarie noticed the pommel of a short sword rising slightly
above his right shoulder. The man’s hands were folded together and his posture
implied authority, though not threat.
Sarie
hadn’t seen him a moment before and was startled when the horse stopped.
Slipping a knife from her belt as stealthily as possible, she waited for him to
speak. When he did, his voice held a certain kindness in it that took her back
to childhood and conjured visions of her father.
“The
trees make way for few.”
She
wanted to feel threatened to keep herself on guard, but his voice and the heart
behind it were utterly disarming. He continued, “It is a storm that most oft
meets a traveler in the valley of Adrel, but even the wind has made way. Your
coming was expected, and a room has been prepared. Come. I will show you to
your quarters then introduce you to the Scribe.”
Sarie
didn’t move. “Show me your face first—your eyes. I will not trust one who has
not met my eyes.”
“It
is a wise way.” He pulled back his hood, revealing a younger man than she
anticipated. He was less than ten years her elder with short-cropped dark brown
hair that would have fallen in waves if it were longer. He wore a beard, but it
was a young man’s beard; full, but short and trimmed in the fashion of the day.
His eyes were a brilliant blue and seemed almost to glow with the colors of his
garments. When he looked at Sarie a rush of fear ran through her, a thrill like
none she had known before. He smiled and introduced himself. “I’m Thresh
Dannan, and I am at your service.”
He being genuine when he says, at my
service. It was an
odd sensation. There was nothing unwholesome nor anything of self interest in Thresh’s
demeanor. Sarie had never met any man like that. Boujh had been like that to a
point, but only with her because of their relation. There was something about Thresh
Dannan that was utterly captivating. She cleared her throat and took a moment
to clear her mind.
“I
am—”
“Sharizeen
Cor. Yes. I am aware.”
Sarie
puzzled. “I had no idea Captain Freen had sent word so far ahead.”
“I
know of no Captain Freen.”
“Then
how do you know my name?”
Surprised she would ask, Thresh cocked his head
a little looking bemused. “From the Scribe. It was he who told me to wait here
for you each day these last two months. As I said, Sarie, your coming has been
expected—or rather foretold.”
With
a desire that conquest should drive sorrow from his heart—and his father’s
mandate Come not before me again until
the infant in you is removed driving his soul—Kin Lash boarded his ship, the
Perilous Dawn, and set sail for Western Pyree.
The
great island country of Pyree was once a garden of delight in a world of
warriors and kings. Resting halfway between Coriaer and Darlandis, it was an
ideal waypoint in ones travels between the two nations. The gold mines of Pyree
were the envy of many kings and emperors, but their generosity and peaceful
ways earned them the protection of Darlandis. For nearly three hundred
years—while the line of good Darlandan kings remained—their land prospered. The
lords of Pyree sent emissaries to other lands to learn of their cultures and
make record of them, and in time they amassed the greatest library of the
ancient world—the Library of Endbredth. Their knowledge and their wealth were
unsurpassed.
In
the days of Ellerion and the wicked kings who followed, Pyree was besieged by
one nation after another. The Darlandans who had been stationed in Pyree and remained
faithful to the good kings rebelled, taking up arms and protecting the island.
The great distance from Pyree to the nations that desired to claim it was much
of its protection. At least a month of sea travel lay before any who desired to
claim that land. After many failed attempts, the malicious enterprise of Pyree’s
enemies was cast aside, but never again did the people of Pyree send out
emissaries. The Darlandans and other foreigners who had taken up the fight, settled
and married among the peoples of Pyree. In only a few generations the peaceful island
broke into factions. Those who wished to continue building the great Library of
Endbredth migrated to the east nearer to the library. The west and its gold
mines drew those more warlike in mind. In due course war broke out and Pyree
was split in two.
In
the days of Faydregd Moree, chieftain of Western Pyree, a great cataclysm struck
the island and the whole of Eastern Pyree was swallowed by the sea along with
the library of Endbredth. Faydregd claimed his dark arts had cursed the east
causing their destruction, and all those who lived and remained faithful to the
east were either killed or joined the west. In the years that followed the
people of Western Pyree grew more warlike and hostile to any who landed on their
shores.
By
Kin Lash’s day Western Pyree was as uncivilized a nation as any in the world
and served as a proving ground for Coriaeran warriors to test their mettle.
Returning with the head of a Pyreean warrior brought great honor to any
Coriaeran who accomplished the feat, and many a young Coriaeran died in the attempt.
Kin Lash had hired or purchased the finest warriors and mercenaries that money
could buy and intended to bring back more than just the head of a Pyreean. Kin
Lash was certain he would succeed.
I will bring back the Pyreean chieftain
alive and claim the island for Coriaer. My father believes me an infant, but that
will not last long. When the peoples see I have accomplished what no king in
our history has, my father’s time upon the throne will end and I shall have
vengeance for my heart and for Lerasea.
___________________________________________________________________________
I hope you're enjoying the ancient history of Zam's world. Zam's story is almost out in paper back. I expect in the next seven days it should be available. I will post as soon as it is official. Thanks for riding along on this journey with me.
Blessings,
Geno
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