{"id":278,"date":"2024-01-13T20:34:48","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T20:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azuredragonpress.net\/?p=278"},"modified":"2024-01-13T20:34:48","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T20:34:48","slug":"chapter-1-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azuredragonpress.net\/index.php\/2024\/01\/13\/chapter-1-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liulge<\/span>
\n<\/span>Guesari 23, 622<\/span><\/p>\n

Mu tihigne shi<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

(Knowledge above all)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2014 The Scholar’s Oath<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The disembodied voice cut through the fog shrouding his brain. His eyelids felt as though they were weighed down. It took all the strength he could muster to force his eyes open. All he could see was green. He was lying face down in the long grass. Under normal circumstances, the feel of soft grass on his face would be pleasant, but this was as far away from normal as he got. Somehow, he got himself up into a sitting position and clutched his head, eyes watering, trying to banish the pain. He squeezed his eyes shut in a vain attempt to block out the sunlight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLinndan?\u201d the voice asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan opened his mouth to respond, but his mouth felt as though someone had shoved the entire desert down his throat. He coughed, struggling to sit up. The world swayed. Was the ground moving, or was he? He started to shake his head, only to send another jab of pain lancing through his skull.<\/span><\/p>\n

He clutched his head even more tightly, resting his elbows on his knees. In front of him his horse pawed at the ground, whickering. He clicked his tongue, and the horse came close enough for him to grab onto the saddle and haul himself up onto his feet. He leaned against the horse, drinking deeply from the water skin tied to the front of the saddle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d the voice asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Linndan croaked. \u201cI have to go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHome?\u201d the voice repeated. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A rueful smile tugged at his lips. \u201cWhen the gods call for you, it’s unwise to ignore Them. Unwise, and painful.\u201d He pinched the bridge of his nose for emphasis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGods,\u201d the voice scoffed. \u201cYou mentioned them before. I keep telling you there are no gods, only the blessed Saints.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With considerable effort, Linndan swung himself up into the saddle. \u201cThat may be true here, but where I’m from, our gods are very real. I don’t know who’s calling me or why, but I’m not about to ignore Them.\u201d He tugged at the reins, urging his horse in an eastward direction. \u201cYou can tag along or I can drop you off at the nearest enclave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank, but no,\u201d grumped the voice. \u201cAs annoying as this detour of yours is, I’d rather deal with that than the pity I’ll get from the others. Oh, poor Ellias,\u201d he added in a mocking tone. \u201cJust a head, no body to speak of. Can’t do anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re far from useless,\u201d Linndan said, meeting the skull’s empty eye sockets. \u201cIf it weren’t for you, I’d still be locked up in that damp hole.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellias made a rude noise he shouldn’t have been able to make given that he was a skull. \u201cThe only reason I helped you was so you would help me find my body. If I’d known we’d be taking a detour to Melphor, I would have made other arrangements.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan snorted. \u201cYou were in danger of being ground into dust if you stayed there much longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA small matter,\u201d Ellias said dismissively. He paused and then said, \u201cDoes it hurt?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes what hurt?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoing through the Way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan shrugged. \u201cIt tingles a little, but it’s never hurt me. I’m not sure what you’re worried about. Bone doesn’t feel pain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot the way you meat sacks do, but this is magic we’re talking about. Who knows what effect it will have on me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you should pray to your saints for an answer,\u201d Linndan suggested. There was no response from Ellias. He smiled and leaned against the raised back of his saddle, settling in for a long trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Waypoint didn’t look at all special at a glance. It was a small ring of uneven stones stood around a slightly raised platform of smooth, plain stone. It wasn’t the only Waypoint on Liulge, but it was the closest to him. Truth be told, he’d have rather used the one further north near the settlement Ellias called Zalback. In his condition, there was no way he’d make it that far. Besides, one Waypoint was as good as any, particularly if you knew how to navigate the Way as deftly as he did.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan’s skin tingled as he approached. Xantoxu nickered at the sight of it, but allowed Linndan to guide him through the ring and up to stand on the platform. He checked his saddle to make sure everything was present and secured, including the padded saddlebag where Ellias was. He’d debated whether or not to keep the skull out in the open. In the end, he opted to keep Ellias secure in his bag as he wasn’t sure how the gods would react to an otherworldly visitor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes it’s better to not draw Their attention<\/span><\/i>, he thought, closing his eyes. Utilising a Waypoint was relatively easy. He formed an image in his mind, picturing his childhood home. While it wasn’t near a Waypoint, it was enough to tell this one to send him to Melphor without specifying which of Melphor’s Waypoints to use as a destination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the gods want me there, then They can find me wherever I come out. <\/span><\/i>He thought about it as the tingling intensified. <\/span>Can They change where I come out? Is that within Their power?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Even with his eyes closed, he could see the blinding light enveloping him moments before he felt the familiar dropping sensation as the Waypoint activated, sending him home.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took a moment, as it always did, for his eyes to adjust. Though he couldn’t see them yet, he could smell the flowers he’d planted nearby many decades ago. He doubted he was the only Melphorian who used Waypoints, but he’d never met another Sojourner from his home world. Either they didn’t mind the flowers or he was the only one who used this particular Waypoint. Regardless, the familiar perfume eased his nerves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beneath him, his horse whinnied in displeasure. Linndan stroked Xan’s neck. None of the horses he’d owned had liked going through the Way. He wished, as he always did, that he had some way of communicating that the Way wouldn’t hurt them. Barring that, some way of understanding what they felt while travelling from one Waypoint to another would be beneficial. Keeping a firm grip on the reins, he dismounted and led his horse down from the stone platform, where they were met with a daunting set of faces. He swallowed and approached them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI take it this isn\u2019t a social call.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed not,\u201d a tall, bearded man said. \u201cWe have a task for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of task?\u201d Linndan asked. \u201cIs it urgent? I had business to attend to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the women waved a hand. \u201cYes, We know all about that. This is far more pressing. Or do you doubt Us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her words gave him pause. He’d often suspected that the gods knew of events transpiring on other worlds, but this was his first real evidence of it. \u201cI have every confidence in You.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStop needling the boy, Szinre,\u201d the man scolded. \u201cHe came when We called. Isn\u2019t that good enough for You?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps it is for You, Hebron,\u201d Szinre sniffed. \u201c<\/span>I<\/span><\/i> have higher standards.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould we get on with this?\u201d the other woman asked. \u201cI dislike being here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith respect, I\u2019d like to know why You summoned me,\u201d Linndan said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d Hebron said with a sigh. \u201cTehaksha has gone missing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The grave set to Hebron’s features made it seem as though that simple statement should have a profound impact. \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it? <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span><\/i> Your problem?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHebron is over-simplifying the matter,\u201d Szinre said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t seen or heard from Her in almost a century. We\u2019ve looked for Her for years with nothing to show for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan paused, taking a good look at each of the gods in front of him. Szinre Prey Pacer was unusually stand-offish, but it was hard to tell what She was thinking with Her mask on. She was in Her two-legged form rather than the naga form he was more accustomed to seeing Her in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Off to the side was another masked naga god. Though He had yet to say anything, the mask identified Him as Kalhalla the Seer. His posture was relaxed, his long serpentine tail coiled around Himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beside Him, Tehvir the Wanderer stamped Her cloven hooves, Her long golden horn glinting in the sunlight. Ever the impatient one, this situation wasn\u2019t doing anything to improve Her disposition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hebron the Scholar, one of the most level-headed gods, looked rumpled and unkempt.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s an odd assortment, but who am I to question Them?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would You like me to do?\u201d Linndan asked. \u201cWhat can I do that You can\u2019t?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was some debate on that matter,\u201d Kalhalla said. \u201cIn the end, We concluded that Tehaksha can sense Us searching for Her. Perhaps an outsider would have better luck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tehvir folded her arms. \u201cYou weren\u2019t the ideal choice, but Hebron and Uras pushed for it. I doubt you\u2019ll have better luck than We did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His guts clenched at the mention of the second god. He took a deep breath before speaking. \u201cI understand Your reasoning. If You would rather choose some other poor sap for this, I\u2019ll gladly relinquish my place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hebron shook his head. \u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary. We\u2019ve been over this. You are Our choice. Find Tehaksha,\u201d Hebron urged. \u201cLearn where She has gone and why.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan folded his arms. \u201cNo.\u201d A moment of silence followed his blunt response, as if the gods were stunned by his refusal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, no?\u201d Tehvir asked. Her long tail swished dangerously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt means what it means,\u201d Linndan said. He turned and walked back towards the Waypoint, only to find an invisible barrier blocking his way. He turned back to the gods. \u201cLet me leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Szinre said. Although Linndan couldn’t see it, he could hear the smirk.<\/span><\/p>\n

He sighed. \u201cSo either I help you or I’m stuck here. Is that it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hebron exchanged a look with His compatriots. \u201cWe aren’t unreasonable, but We are desperate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDesperate enough to block the Way?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kalhalla sighed. \u201cThe Way isn’t blocked. We’ve merely prevented you from travelling.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan tried to leave, but again found his way blocked. This time, his skin prickled on contact with the barrier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand that this is a monumental task,\u201d Hebron said. \u201cWhile We had hoped not to resort to this, We are prepared to reward you for your efforts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have nothing I need or want,\u201d Linndan said, scowling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t be so sure,\u201d Kalhalla said. \u201cWe know you better than you think. We know what your heart wants even if you don’t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo clarify, what I want is beyond Your power.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if you could grow old and die?\u201d Szinre asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The breath caught in Linndan’s throat. \u201cYou\u2026 would take my immortality?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a way, but it requires considerable effort on our part to undo something you were born with,\u201d Hebron said. \u201cDo this for us, find Tehaksha, and we will grant you your mortality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you’d want such a thing is beyond me,\u201d Tehvir snorted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan closed his eyes, taking a series of deep, even breaths before opening them again. \u201cSuppose I agree to this. This is a goddess I’m looking for. The odds of failure are high.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will be unable to leave Melphor until She is located,\u201d Szinre said as plainly as if she were talking about the weather.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s the catch,\u201d Linndan said. He glanced at the Waypoint over his shoulder and took another deep breath. \u201cI suppose there\u2019s little choice in the matter. Either way, I’m stuck here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s a pessimistic way of looking at it,\u201d Kalhalla said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’ve effectively backed me into a corner. How else am I supposed to look at it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave him be,\u201d Hebron said, scolding His fellow god.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing, Linndan said, \u201cI assume You\u2019ve spoken with Her sons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have,\u201d Kalhalla confirmed. \u201cYou know little of Our ways, but enough to know how\u2026 difficult the Kha\u2019len can be. Sahalje\u2019ran got them to talk, but They had little to say. Aquhilte is convinced They don\u2019t know where She is, but the Shin\u2019ho\u2019juan are\u2026 less convinced.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuch is Their nature.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot had much to say, but His relationship with Tehaksha has always been\u2026 tenuous at best. They haven\u2019t had anything to do with each other in, oh, six or seven centuries.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can confirm that,\u201d Szinre said. \u201cNot is almost as bad as Aquhilte.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kalhalla narrowed His eyes but made no response to Szinre\u2019s barb in regards to His daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo You have any suggestions?\u201d Linndan asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHebron claims you have some measure of intelligence,\u201d Tehvir said. \u201cI suggest you demonstrate it.\u201d She turned and vanished.<\/span><\/p>\n

Szinre shook Her head. \u201cWhat\u2019s tugging Her tail today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe dislikes mortals,\u201d Kalhalla reminded Her. \u201cShe mistrusts half-breeds even more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were you, I would look to Her priests,\u201d Hebron said. \u201cTehaksha is vain. She may have dropped hints with Her favourite ones as to Her plans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan frowned, folding his arms. \u201cThat narrows my search considerably. Unless things have changed in the last fifty years, She\u2019s not the most popular goddess, even among the naga.\u201d A thought occurred to him. \u201cShe has a holy site in Athros, doesn\u2019t She?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Szinre nodded. \u201cThat would be the one in Witesa. For some reason, though, most of her holy sites are here in Miltan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather avoid the desert if possible. Nothing good ever comes of my going into one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be pleased to know, then, that her nearest holy site is in Oldwatch,\u201d Hebron supplied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan did a quick review of Miltan\u2019s geography and sighed with relief. \u201cThat\u2019s only a few days away from here on horseback.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is why We drew you to this waypoint rather than the one in Silvestri,\u201d said Kalhalla.<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan opted to not point out that he’d been aiming for this Waypoint in the first place. \u201cI appreciate Your thoughtfulness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow that you have your task, We\u2019ll leave you to it,\u201d said Szinre.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do You want me to do should I find Her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d was Szinre\u2019s curt reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d he asked, confused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPay Her no mind.\u201d Kalhalla rubbed his left temple. \u201cAll we need from you is Her location. If you happen to learn any valuable information over the course of your investigation, We\u2019ll consider that a bonus. It\u2019s unwise for anyone to go head to head with Her save for one of Us elder gods. Find Her and We\u2019ll come to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan clenched and unclenched his fists. \u201cI won\u2019t bother asking how, as I doubt I\u2019ll get a straight answer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems they can be taught after all,\u201d Szinre drawled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have no further questions, We\u2019ll leave this task in your capable hands,\u201d Hebron said. The three remaining gods turned and vanished, leaving the grass around the Waypoint undisturbed, as though they\u2019d never been there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, first things first,<\/span><\/i> Linndan thought, mounting up. <\/span>I need a change of clothes. I can\u2019t exactly wander around Melphor looking like I\u2019ve stepped out of a Guerian river town.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re seriously going along with this?\u201d a muffled voice asked from inside one of his saddlebags.<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan reached in and pulled out the skull that nestled inside. \u201cWhen the gods call, I answer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were busy,\u201d the skull grumped. \u201cThis is rather inconsiderate of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my home, Ellias. Those gods are my relatives, the only real family I have left. Not that I expect you to understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s low.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t have to come with me, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like I have many options. Until we find the rest of me, I\u2019m helpless. What was I supposed to do? Sit on a cushion or pillar somewhere waiting for you to come back? Staying with you is as good an option as any.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo stop complaining or I\u2019ll turn Xantoxu around and toss you back through the Way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWatch me. I might not be able to go through, but the gods said nothing about you.” Ellias made no reply. \u201cIncidentally, you might want to keep the chatter to a minimum while we\u2019re on Melphor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf this is your unsubtle way of telling me to shut up-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMelphor doesn\u2019t have anything like the Cuerge. A talking skull would scare them and draw unnecessary attention to us. My task would be harder if not outright impossible to complete. I can\u2019t get back to your problem until I do. So, if only for pure self-interest, try not to talk around other people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour point is well made, though had you considered using my nature to your advantage?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI talk, but I can also see and hear. If no one here expects a talking skull, they won\u2019t expect one to be able to see and hear what they\u2019re doing either. You could leave me\u00a0 somewhere to gather information as long as you promise to pick me up after.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re offering to be a spy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not? It gets boring in that saddlebag. If helping out gets this over with sooner, all the better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan pondered that for a moment. \u201cTehaksha\u2019s primary symbol is that of a skull. I\u2019m sure no one would notice an extra one sitting around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust what kind of a goddess is She, anyway?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMelphorian gods all have colourful monikers that describe their personalities or functions. Tehaksha is known as the Soul Eater.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd she\u2019s <\/span>missing<\/span><\/i>? How do you lose someone like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamned if I know, Ellias. The affairs of the gods aren\u2019t something I care to understand. I appreciate your offer of help. I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll come in handy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFair warning, though. I can\u2019t promise I\u2019ll understand everything I\u2019m observing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt you\u2019ll have any trouble understanding Ehkan. Most people around here speak that. Something about travelling through the Way lets a Sojourner understand whatever dominant language there is on any given world and for Melphor, that\u2019s Ehkan. I imagine you\u2019ll only have trouble with cultural context and if you run into a non-human using words from their native languages.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait, non-human?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve told you about that before. I guess you\u2019ll have to see it to believe it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust\u2026 get this over with so I can go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Linndan put Ellias back into the saddlebag and urged his horse into a faster pace. Before long, the town of Faloress came into view. His strange, Guerian clothing drew a few stares on the road to the small house he kept in town. The modest, single story brick building was on the outer edge of town. Its location was ideal in helping him avoid drawing undue attention to himself in between trips through the waypoint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He tied his horse up outside and went to the door. The key slid easily into the lock and the door opened without so much as a creak. The few surfaces inside sported a fine layer of dust. The caretaker, it seemed, hadn\u2019t been by in some time. He took the saddlebag full of strange off-world clothes into the single bedroom and emptied them into a storage box. Some of them could use a proper cleaning but there wasn\u2019t time for such things. Perhaps on his way back to Liulge he could take the time, but not now.<\/span><\/p>\n

A similar box contained cleaned and neatly folded clothing more suitable to Melphor. The familiar blue and green fabric of his Scholar\u2019s tunic filled him with nostalgia. He slid the gold chain with its Quill-shaped pendant over his head and removed several changes of clothes from the box before shutting the lid. He dressed, combed his hair, and gave his face a quick shave before leaving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, my friend,\u201d he said to his horse. \u201cIt seems we\u2019ve got another long road ahead of us. At least this is a road I\u2019m familiar with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Xantoxu\u2019s ears perked up as Linndan guided him out of Faloress\u2019s south gate and down Wrumevars Road, the beaten dirt track that would take them to Oldwatch.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Liulge
\nGuesari 23, 622<\/p>\n

Mu tihigne shi<\/i><\/p>\n

(Knowledge above all)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2014 The Scholar’s Oath<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

The disembodied voice cut through the fog shrouding his brain. His eyelids felt as though they were weighed down. It took all the strength he could muster…… <\/p>\n

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