I find myself unsure of what to say about this chapter. It's sad, but also hopeful. Mahri will have hard times ahead of her, and she might not survive them, but she won't be alone.
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Chosen by the Dragon God
- Thread starter Chandagnac
- Start date
- Original
Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
It was a vivid word picture and I enjoyed it, but I am left with one question - does she get a happy ending? Obviously she dies in the end, as do we all, but like... soon?
Gosh... It's such a contrast to see her think this vs knowing what happens to her after she steps through the portal in Hedgey's quest. I guess that's the allure of fairy-tale stories where you get wisked off into another world, though... A child would think about the wonder and excitement, not the everything else.
I'm glad she turned back, and the portal closed, though. May this life be a happier one, Mahri...
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Most of my epilogues so far have been at least somewhat bittersweet. That's life, I guess. It goes on.
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.
The Chmeti tribe had died out by the time of Elys and Hedgy, hundreds of years later. However, that didn't happen anytime soon after Mahri found the portal. It's entirely possible that she could have lived out her entire life and died of old age a long time before the Chmeti were wiped out and/or subsumed by another tribe.
Exactly.
I hope so!
Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
Ah, yeah, I suppose she'd just go back and have a normal life, with the shimmering portal as just a cherished memory. Live well, Mahri.
Moving On (Epilogue)
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
And here's another epilogue...
*
Moving On
One evening, while your family is seated around the dinner table, besides which Gaharys has his own high chair and is making happy burbling noises, Bellona has an announcement to make: "I'm going to Chamdara to study advanced life magic with Mishrak's priesthood there."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" you enthuse. "May I come with you?"
"I… don't see why not," Bellona replies. "You'd be more than welcome."
"Couldn't Mishrak teach you here or in his Undersea Palace?" asks your mother, giving you a sidelong glance. "I'm sure he'd be willing."
Making an effort to come up with a well-reasoned explanation, you say, "That's not the point. One of the reasons why you sent me to the Engelram Academy was so that I'd have a chance to learn alongside my peers, so that I could learn from them as much as from my teachers. How to make friends among people my own age, for example. But that obviously hasn't happened. On the other hand… if I were to accompany Belle to one of the temples in Chamdara, where I would be learning alongside the priests… there's a good chance that many of them will have been studying life magic for longer than I have. They will be more experienced, knowledgeable and well-practised, so they will have less reason to resent me for my… advantages. Also, I will need to learn their language and social mores, which will add an extra layer of difficulty – and give me an entirely new set of skills. Mishrak is greatly revered in Chamdara and I am his Chosen, so I doubt I will be in any danger. And Belle will be with me. We'll look after each other."
"It's thousands of miles away, across the 'Unbounded Ocean'. Are you able to open portals over such vast distances?" your father wants to know.
You hesitate, knowing that such a monumental task would be too difficult for you. Raef or Samaya could do it, but they've had thousands of years of experience. Compared to them, you're just starting out, so your range is much more limited. You might need to ask them for help.
"I'm planning to go via the Necropolis," says Bellona. "It's the same distance away from anywhere on the world's surface."
For a moment, you wonder if there is any real difference between 'opening a portal' and 'travelling via Teryn's Necropolis'. They seem to fulfil very similar purposes, enabling fast travel over great distance. Is it yet another example of why Hurondus's plan to make himself the only Master of Portals in existence was doomed to failure right from the start? Maybe. Stepping through a portal is instantaneous, whereas getting to and from the Necropolis requires some travel time, but it seems like it would be easier to get anywhere from the Necropolis, so long as you know how to do it – and have Teryn's permission? Do other gods make it similarly easy to travel to and from their pocket dimensions? You eagerly look forward to interrogating Bellona about that.
Meanwhile, donning a determined expression, Jana says, "I'm your handmaiden. I should come with you."
"You don't have to. Actually, it might be better if you stay at the Engelram Academy and finish your education. That way, when we're all grown up, you'll be better equipped to be my handmaiden," you say. "Obviously, I'll want you to be able to do the best job you can."
There is a catch in her voice as she asks, "Don't you want me with you?"
"Of course I want you with me," you assure her. "But we can't spend all our time together. Even if you're my handmaiden, we have our own lives to live – and I'm sure there'll be plenty of times when you won't want me tagging along – whenever you're romancing some poor girl, for example – so let's take these opportunities while we can, shall we?"
You smile brightly at her while she scowls back. "I'll get you for that, Elys," she says, mock-threateningly, as if she were offended by your teasing her about her string of failed relationships with various young women. "Just you wait."
"I hope you're not being horrible to each other," says your mother, giving you a look of disapproval.
"Of course not," you assure her. "We're like sisters!"
"Exactly," Jana agrees.
"I suppose I'd better stay here as well," says Catharne. "Although… perhaps my father could bring me with him, once in a while, when he visits Chamdara and teaches some of his pupils there. That'll be nice, won't it?"
"That sounds great. I'll look forward to it," you tell her.
Your mother and father exchange considering glances. After an extended nonverbal debate, they come to a decision.
"If that's what you want, and Mishrak agrees to teach you, I don't see why we should object," says your father. "Actually, do you mind if I talk with you privately for a few moments, Belle…?"
After Belle has assured your father that she genuinely doesn't mind your accompanying her on this trip, you visit Mishrak in his palace so you can tell him about your latest wonderful idea. Of course, you could have used your telepathic connection with him to tell him anywhere and at any time, but in this instance you'd rather tell him in person. It seems more special that way.
You find him in his tiny dragon form, flitting around his laboratory, examining a monstrous spiny starfish from every angle.
"Is that one of your creations?" you ask, tentatively.
"Oh no. Starfish such as this little fellow were created by Rynn himself, at the beginning of the First Age. They're even older than I am."
"Are they useful for anything?"
"Not particularly. Quite the reverse, in many ways." He sighs. "They eat coral, which is a vital habitat for many marine lifeforms. In some places, they've become a pestilential nuisance."
When he falls silent, lost in thought, you take the opportunity to explain your plan to him. "There's so much I want to learn," you tell him.
"Brilliant! I'll be happy to have you as one of my students," he says. "Just like when you were a little girl!"
Yes, not many little girls are lucky enough to be given personal tuition by an archmage who also happens to be a dragon and an ancient, eccentric god, but you've never been normal. Indeed, you've no idea what it would be like to live a 'normal' life.
"I'm looking forward to it," you tell him, earnestly.
The great port city of Suantum is sometimes called 'the Gateway to the Dragon Empire'. With Bellona guiding you by the hand, you gaze around its many teeming streets and plazas, admiring the many grand, palatial buildings and the elegantly curved, smooth and flowing architectural style that seems so prevalent here. It is a huge city, which may be even larger than Aspitolm – and it is certainly more beautiful, unsullied by slavery and recent conflict – and its population is vast and ethnically diverse. The Dragon Empire was formed by the unification of many different tribes and all of them are represented here, but you also see people from Ardenor, Mercadia, Anakwaan and other places you've never even heard of. It has a busy, prosperous, cheerfully confident air about it. You're sure there must be people who are poor, mistreated and exploited, just like anywhere else, but you can't see them anywhere. Suantum is showing you its best face. And the sunlight shining down on you, through the gaps between the rooftops, gleams like gold.
"It's a beautiful day," you say, with a happy sigh. "Let's make something of it."
"Yes, let's," Belle agrees, leading you onwards.
Two epilogues left to go. The next one will take place a few years later and focus on Jana. Well, sort of.
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I hope Jana get to have one or several great girlfriends XD
Also loved the sisters going off on a new adventure and everyone sort of having their own paths but clearly intending to stay close.
This was a really nice cap off to the story, the major events are wrapped up, enough time has passed for some stability to emerge and well, life goes on, kudos on this series, from world building to characters, to weaving it all together in a quest, you have done an AMAZING job, kudos Chandagnac, kudos!
Also loved the sisters going off on a new adventure and everyone sort of having their own paths but clearly intending to stay close.
This was a really nice cap off to the story, the major events are wrapped up, enough time has passed for some stability to emerge and well, life goes on, kudos on this series, from world building to characters, to weaving it all together in a quest, you have done an AMAZING job, kudos Chandagnac, kudos!
Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
Ah, it's great to see Elys taking an interest. After what she did, what she became - it'd be easy to fall into that pattern, and seek and fight war after war until that's all you know, but Elys isn't seeking that, and she's growing into her role.
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Maybe that'll happen in the next epilogue...
Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. I'm glad you've enjoyed reading this fic. And I hope the latest epilogue was a fitting capstone to Elys's adventures.
I never really explored the societal changes (etc.) that would occur as Mishrak trained more and more of his priests to be exceptional healers, but it seems logical that the story would continue in that direction and that Elys would take an interest. She's only just started learning how to use life magic, but she definitely wants to learn more and develop her skills.
Hahaha, they're so lovey-dovey with each other, no wonder Elys is getting a little tired.
Yeah, being horrible to each other is a matter of course! XD
I'll admit, I did feel sad at reading this, and understand where Jana's coming from. But Elys is right in how they have to have their own lives away from each other.
Yeah... Haha. Her parents tried, at least, but there really was no way for Elys to live a normal life, huh?
Well, godspeed, Elys. May your joys be many, wherever you go from here. And now that I've written this out... It really does feel like flipping the page of a last book in a series.
I'm glad that Elys is actively working at gaining peers, since she's been isolated by her role in the war.
A Woman Who Knows What She Wants (Epilogue)
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
I'm sorry this has taken so long. I really struggled with this latest epilogue. Most of all, I was trying to make sure that none of it came across as creepy. I'm not sure I've succeeded, but... Oh well, I hope you'll enjoy reading it anyway.
*
A Woman Who Knows What She Wants
Ambergrys – who had been given that name by idiot parents with ideas far above their station – had grown weary of her current employer's lecherous advances. "I'm not a whore! Not your mistress! Not for all the gold in existence!" He stood with a smug smile on his face, as if he wasn't listening to anything she said, even as she exploded at him: "No, I don't care what your friends say! They know even less than you do!"A Woman Who Knows What She Wants
"My dear, you're being irrational. Just calm down," he said, in what he probably thought was a soothing voice, as if she were a child throwing a temper tantrum.
She took a deep breath, banked the fires of her rage, and said, "I'm not your 'dear'. Not your anything. I'm leaving."
As she turned to go, he tried to stop her: he grabbed her upper arm and held on tight; for a moment, it seemed as if he intended to drag her back into the manor house. Turning to face him, she put on a cold, stern expression and said, "I am a Cunning Woman. You should know what that means: I mediate between mortals and the divine. There are gods and spirits who owe me favours. Do not test me."
He released her. "Fine! Go back to…" A sneer spread across his face and she suspected he was about to give voice to a disgusting slur, but he restrained himself at the last moment. Instead, after a slight hesitation, he continued: "Go back to your sisters! I would have treated you like a queen, but you'd rather be a wandering beggarwoman just like the rest of them!"
"Whatever I choose to do… has nothing to do with you," she replied, after a significant pause.
Still sneering, he muttered something under his breath – a final insult, or taunt, perhaps – but she was no longer listening. With a sigh of relief, she walked away.
*
She made her way back to the House of Cunning Women in Truinon, though she knew it would mean a lecture about being 'patient' and 'diplomatic', which seemed to mean putting up with powerful men even after their 'foibles' became sexual harassment. That was just part of the job, something she had to live with, they said – and anyway they'd put up with much worse in their day – and so on and so forth. Still, at least it would mean a warm bed for the night.
However, before she could pass through the outer gate into the courtyard, she was surprised to find someone waiting for her: a sleek and athletically-muscled young woman whose clothes were practical, hardwearing and exquisitely well-tailored; her boots were made of a kind of leather that Ambergrys didn't recognize, which suggested that either she was extraordinarily wealthy or she'd travelled halfway across the world; her dark hair had been cut short and artfully tousled; a dagger was clipped to her belt; there was a youthful freshness to her appearance, which suggested she was in her late teens or early twenties; and she was keeping her smile well-guarded, though it kept threatening to escape its confines, like gleaming treasure spilling out of its hiding place.
"Hi, Amber. It's good to see you again," she said, sounding unexpectedly shy.
For the next few moments, Amber frantically searched through her memories, trying to find any evidence that she'd met this athletic young woman before. She found none. "Um, you have me at a disadvantage, Miss…?"
"You don't remember me, do you?" The stranger sounded disappointed, but recovered almost immediately: "Never mind. I look forward to getting to know you all over again."
"I haven't agreed to anything," said Amber, with a raised eyebrow, though she was amused despite herself.
"I'm Jana Netpicker, handmaiden to Elys Allardyne, the Chosen of Mishrak. I don't know if you've heard of her. Nearly ten years ago, I came to the House of Cunning Woman in search of advice and… uh, you were very helpful. I've remembered you fondly since then."
"How did you know I'd be here now? Have you been following me?"
"No!" cried Jana, vigorously shaking her head. "Elys has all sorts of adventures and I… Well, you know what it's like when there are spirits who want to repay you for doing them a favour. One of them told me to come here, on this day, at this specific time."
"A likely story," said Amber, sardonically. "Probably true, though."
"It is true, yes," Jana assured her.
"Why did you mention me to them? There must have been a reason."
Jana shifted uncomfortably, staring at the floor, and mumbled something incoherent.
"Very well," said Amber, taking pity on her. "What can I do for you, Miss Netpicker?"
"Call me Jana. And I…" She rubbed the back of her neck and managed to raise her head enough to meet Amber's gaze. "I want to take you out to dinner."
"That is… very bold of you, but I like it." Amber felt pangs of hunger reminding her that she hadn't eaten since the morning of that day – and she had little hope of getting a decent meal at the House of Cunning Women that night – and so Jana's offer was genuinely tempting. "And after that?"
"Whatever you want."
"Intriguing. However, I don't want to lead you on under false pretences, so… I should probably warn you that I'm not really in the mood for romance right now."
"That's fine. I don't want to rush you into anything," said Jana. "But I still want you to come to dinner with me. Consider it my way of repaying you for the help you gave me, all those years ago."
Amber pondered for a moment before coming to a decision: "Very well. Lead the way."
*
Restaurants were a relatively new concept, in Quellonia at least, but several had appeared within a short space of time and seemed to be doing remarkably well. There were plenty of merchants and well-to-do foreign visitors who wanted a decent meal while they were in the city, without needing to bring their own cook or rely on one of the locals to be a gracious host, which meant that various establishments had been built to cater to their needs. Jana brought Amber to a place where the food was of the highest quality, which probably meant that it was ridiculously expensive. The finest cuts of meat were delicately cooked and seasoned to perfection; there were rich and flavoursome sauces, exotic fruits, sweet pastries, and other things Amber had rarely seen outside of the kind of banquet thrown by rich noblemen who were trying to impress their peers, to which she had very rarely been invited. Jana insisted on paying for everything, which came as a relief because Amber didn't have any money.
"How did you become so wealthy?" she asked.
"Mishrak is the god of wealth and he likes me, so… uh, he would have given me enough gold to buy this entire city, but I managed to talk him down."
Amber laughed at that, unsure of whether or not she was joking.
Jana quickly changed the subject: between mouthfuls, she chattered about her adventures, many of which seemed utterly implausible and preposterous. Then she seemed to expect Amber to do the same thing, so Amber told her a few stories – about the many times she'd been called upon to mediate between mortals and divine beings – which seemed humdrum by comparison.
At last, they were replete. Having shared the last of their bottle of wine, they stepped outside into the evening chill.
"What now?" Amber wanted to know.
"I… would like to see you again," said Jana.
"When?"
"Whenever you like."
Amber leaned closer, subjecting her face to careful scrutiny. "Jana, how old are you?"
"Nineteen. And you're twenty-three, I know." Defiance entrenched itself on Jana's face. "Hardly any age difference, really. There's nothing wrong with us being together."
Forlorn laughter gusted past Amber's lips. "There are plenty who'd disapprove of us being together, if indeed we were."
"So, this is where you let me down gently," said Jana, with a defeated sigh.
"I like you. You're cute. And I'm grateful to you for buying me dinner, but… I have some concerns."
"Like what?"
"I find it difficult to believe some of the things you've said, so… I need to get to know you better."
"You think I've been lying to you," said Jana, fixing her with a flinty stare.
"No!" Amber shook her head and blinked a few times, regretting that last glass of wine. "That is to say… I wish I could believe you, but I find it difficult to trust anyone I've only just met. It's not your fault, but… it wouldn't be the first time I've been deceived by…" She stopped and took a deep breath before she could make even more of a fool of herself. "I mean, you know what it's like, I'm sure."
"Not really."
"And that's another thing: in my life, I've had multiple lovers. Possibly as many as a dozen. Does that bother you?"
"Of course not," said Jana. "I've had girlfriends before."
"That's… none of my business. But it seems strange to me that after everything you've done – battled monsters, outwitted demons and evil wizards, travelled all over the world and so on – you've been so nervous about asking me out."
Jana grimaced, moistened her lips, and said, "I… like you very much. I think you're beautiful and charming and witty and… Ever since I first met you, all those years ago, I've been thinking about you… Occasionally, I mean. And then, recently… I did a favour for one of Nyssa's daughters, Astaryl, who fancies herself as a goddess of love. She said that if I wanted to find the woman of my dreams, I should go to the House of Cunning Women in Truinon on this specific day. Today, in fact." A sheepish grin threatened to break out all over her face. "I suppose that means… you're my ideal woman."
Amber tried not to laugh. Really, she did. "Oh, you're just going to do whatever the gods tell you to do? Dance to their tune? I thought better of you than that."
"But you're a Cunning Woman! Mediating with the gods is your job. Doesn't that mean you have to do what they want? At least to some extent?"
"That depends on the situation. Sometimes they need someone to be firm and tell them 'no'." In a more serious tone, Amber continued: "Live for yourself. Do what you want to do, not what anyone else says you should want."
Jana's expression was as obstinate as a stone. "And what if I decide that you are what I want?"
The sun had set, its rosy light was fading and the air was growing increasingly chilly. Nevertheless, Amber found herself getting rather hot. "Well then, in that case… I think you know what you must do."
Leaning closer, Jana said, "M-may I kiss you?"
Amber's insolent stare challenged her to do exactly that. "Do what you will."
A moment later, she felt a strong arm coiled around her and lips pressed against hers. It was a fumbling, amateurish kiss that betrayed Jana's inexperience, so Amber made sure to return her kiss and take charge. She moved her lips against Jana's, slipped her tongue into her mouth and once again tasted the wine they'd been drinking. Jana seemed to melt into the kiss; her eyes closed and a blissful look settled upon her face.
"You're adorable," said Amber, when they finally parted.
"May I see you again?" asked Jana, breathlessly.
"Why not? It's been fun so far."
"How about tomorrow? In the morning? There's so much I want to show you!"
Amber looked Jana up and down, very deliberately. "Let's take things steadily, at least to begin with, shall we?"
"Um… all right."
"Tomorrow will be fine, I'm sure. It's not like I've got anything else planned." Amber paused. For a moment, she was uncertain, chewing her lip. Then, trying to reassure herself, she murmured, "It's got to be worth a try."
Out of all the girls Jana tried to romance in The Tinpot Princess and Her Many Travels or Chosen by the Dragon God, I thought Amber was the only one she had any genuine chemistry with. Shame about the age gap. Of course, this chapter takes place years later, when they're both adults, and Amber doesn't even remember their previous meeting.
I just like the way they spark and flirt and bounce off each other. I hope you do too.
I just like the way they spark and flirt and bounce off each other. I hope you do too.
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Oh! Wow, it does feel like time's passed and they've had more adventures since we last left off. Jana's all grown up now!
Where's Amber from, may I ask?
Where's Amber from, may I ask?
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.
Indeed. And there's a vague reference to Elys having adventures somewhere in the background.
One of the later story arcs of The Tinpot Princess and Her Many Travels is told from Jana's perspective. Basically, she starts to feel like she's a bit too underlevelled to do a good job as Elys's handmaiden, so she travels to Truinon and tries to find a god who will empower her. Along the way, she meets Amber and a few other characters.
You can start reading it here, if you're interested.
That was a really sweet interaction.
Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
Whoo! Jana epilogue! I liked that arc, back in the day, so I'm glad we came full circle. Jana's really put herself together, these days!
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Next epilogue should be the last. It's nearly over...
I hope it didn't give you diabetes, lol.
What do you mean by that?
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Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
Meaning that her look is really good, seen from the outside. Older Jana has a nice style to her.
The Damned (Epilogue)
New
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Sorry this has taken me more than a week to write. I really struggled with it.
*
The Damned (Epilogue)
Elves were sustained by magic, which meant they had no need to eat or drink. Many of them seemed mystified by the suggestion that anyone might want to be comfortable, which meant that their accommodations tended to be exceedingly spartan; all they required was somewhere to sit where their clothes and hair wouldn't get too muddy, stained or dirty; and perhaps a sheet over their heads so they wouldn't be bombarded by rain, snow or other forms of precipitation. And almost all of them had other quirks that made them irritating to deal with. At least, Samaya thought so. For instance, very few of them seemed to understand the meaning of 'personal space'.The Damned (Epilogue)
"Shoo," she said, waving a dismissive hand at the crowd that had assembled around her. "I need to talk to my brother."
After a few moments, they seemed to get the message and began to slowly drift away, as aimless and airy as late summer clouds. Some of them returned to their bedrolls, others to the outskirts of the camp, and a few retreated a short distance away and then looked around for further instructions. Those were the ones who were least used to freedom.
"Maybe Green Flame will find something for you to do, if you ask her nicely," she suggested, taking pity on them.
They didn't nod, or reply in any way, but she thought she detected a faint flicker of interest in their otherwise vacant expressions. Then, taking her suggestion as seriously as they did everything else, they trooped off in search of Green Flame. She was somewhere near the edge of the camp, setting up wards that should give them warning in case of attack.
When she'd made sure they were gone, Samaya walked over to where her brother, Raef, was sitting alone, looking calm and meditative. "What next?" she asked, without preamble.
He opened his eyes, blinked and looked quizzically at her. "I'm sorry?"
"After we've rescued the elves from this latest court of evil nature spirits, what are we going to do next?"
"I'm sure there will be plenty more who need rescuing after that," he replied, a look of resignation on his face.
"Sooner or later, they'll realise that kidnapping human children and turning them into elves isn't worth the trouble," said Samaya, folding her arms.
"That could take centuries. And even then… there's never been any shortage of stupid, selfish people in the world. Especially considering that some of them are immortal spirits," said Raef. "It's too early to think about what we might do when our mission is finally complete."
Changing tack, Samaya said, "What about Peels? How are we going to rescue her from Zinistrari?"
"I don't know," Raef admitted. "They're somewhere in the Underworld, in a fortress surrounded by demons. We're going to need more information. Allies. A proper plan of attack."
"There are some demons who… ah, aren't as bad as the rest. Achamat, for example," said Samya, rather cautiously. "He might be willing to trade favours."
"Zinistari would be a fool to trust Achamat with anything important. Or any other demon, for that matter. Still, it might be worth a try."
"And… what about our other siblings? Have you heard or seen any sign that they might still be alive?"
Slowly, hesitantly, helplessly, Raef shook his head. "You know as much as I do. Wisp and Carver were slain by Dumar and his Mystic Path. Nialliv fell through a portal and I have no idea where he went. If there are any others…"
"I suppose we've built a new family," said Samaya, glancing around at Green Flame, Thorn of the Briarwood, Melody, and all the others. "But I don't want to forget what we've lost. I want to find them, if there's anything left to be found."
"It'll be difficult," said Raef, contemplating the immensity of the task ahead of them. "But… we have plenty of time, I suppose."
"The sooner we get started, the better chance we have of finding any of them alive."
He gazed dolefully into the distance, as if somewhere just out of sight he might find the answers he sought. "I hope so."
An old man lived in a wooden hut near a monastery, in the nation of Nehweyr, in the far east of Anakwaan. He served as a cleaner, gardener and odd-job man, who didn't seem to want anything more than the most meagre payment and the chance to live in peace. He had no friends, rarely spoke to anyone, and his only hobby seemed to be sitting by his little wooden shrine, staring at nothing in particular. He didn't seem to be praying or contemplating the teachings of the Way of Harmony, or anything.
Few of the monks spared him a second thought, if they were even aware of his existence. The only time when anyone bothered him was when some of the young initiates – the unwanted children of Nehweyr's nobility – decided to amuse themselves by tormenting him with sneers and rude words, and by defacing his little wooden shrine, for which they were punished by the Abbot himself. Of course, they were just children. Unruly children, who had never wanted to be monks, egging each other on and making a nuisance of themselves. There was no real harm in them. Not really.
Like it or not, this lifestyle gave him plenty of time to brood, to think, and to remember. There was much about his past that he bitterly regretted. In truth, he didn't know if he had intentionally fled the attack that had killed so many of his family or if it had been an accident. He remembered desperately wanting to get away, but had he deliberately thrown himself through the portal that had transported him so very far away? Or had it been random chance, the chaos of battle, or simple bad luck that had caused him to stumble into it? What was the real reason why he had lived while his brothers and sisters had died?
He'd hurried back to the fight, but he'd been much too late. By then, his family and their assailants were all gone. He didn't know where. For years he searched, but no matter where he looked, he could find no trace of them. He revisited their old hangouts and hideaways in vain. They were gone. It seemed almost certain that they were all dead. And only the coward had survived.
Most of the Nehweyri followed the Way of Harmony, an offshoot of the Path of Transcendence, the religion that had been spread all over the world by the Golden Men of the Second Age. It had many different permutations in many different nations: for instance, the aristocracy of Quellonia believed that they could achieve a transcendent state by studying the 'Nine Mysteries', although there seemed to be some disagreement as to what those mysteries actually were, whereas the monks of Nehweyr sought to achieve transcendence through meditation, wisdom and harmonious living.
The old man didn't follow their religion or worship any god in particular. His shrine had been intended as a memorial to his family. It was a place where he could talk to them and imagine they were listening; wherever they were and whatever state they were in, he hoped his prayers could reach them somehow.
And so his life continued.
One day, after he had spent the morning chopping wood and moving it to the storehouse, the old man returned to the monastery and realised something was very wrong. First, he noticed the foul smell of blood and ordure. Then, he saw blood smeared on one of the walls. A pool of blood seeping across the floor. Then, as he moved closer, he found a dead body. It was barely recognizable as one of the monks, who looked as if he'd been torn apart and then partially eaten by a frenzied beast.
Feeling as if he'd stumbled into one of his worst memories, the old man ventured deeper into the monastery, wondering if he'd find anyone left alive.
More bodies, similarly mutilated. Young and old, men and women, the most revered teachers alongside their most callow students. None had been spared.
Finally, in the largest hall, where the monks had gathered to study together, or listen to the teachings of the wisest elders, he found them. In piled heaps, dozens of corpses. Ghoulish, barely-humanoid figures hunched over them, feasting. The floor was steeped in gore, wet and glistening. At the back of the room, in a cage made of fused bones, a few terrified initiates were cowering and gibbering. And there, seated on a crude throne made of broken tables, barrels and bits of rubbish, there was something like a man. Tall and spindly, dressed in blood-spattered robes, with a mask stretched over his face that appeared to have been carved out of human flesh; his hands were withered claws and his eyes were like something that had drowned at the bottom of a fetid well.
"Ah. The servant. The nameless one. I have seen you before," said the masked figure, who seemed to be the cannibalistic monsters' leader. "In some ways, you're just like us: a despised outcast. You know what it's like to be mistreated." As if he felt the need to further explain, he continued, "We are the Accursed Ones."
"Is that why you murdered all these people?" asked the old man, with a sweeping gesture that seemed to indicate the entire room.
"Vistander cursed us for… relatively minor crimes. In doing so, he ensured we would go on to do much worse things. A self-fulfilling prophecy, of sorts." The voice from behind the flesh mask trembled with unsuppressed glee. "He wanted us to suffer for an eternity. Sunlight burns us, water is like acid, and even the air we breathe causes us to rot and wither, but we can never die. We endured terrible pain, hunger and thirst, until at last we found a way to avoid our punishment. There is a ritual that enables us to devour human flesh and use it to conceal ourselves, so the curse can never find us. We have turned it into a blessing. We are all but immortal and invulnerable. Thanks to Vistander's gross stupidity, we have become something much more – and far worse – than when were merely human."
The old man carefully glanced around, seeing that some of the other Accursed Ones had looked up from their grisly meals. "So… what do you want from me?"
"We've learned to spread our 'curse' to others. You could join us. It would be your chance to take revenge against a world that has treated you like a contemptible wretch, like a slug crawling through the mud," said the masked figure, speaking with wheedling eagerness, as if it were very important to him that the old man should agree. Perhaps he imagined that by convincing someone else, he could 'prove' that his actions were justified. "You could live forever."
"Is that how you see yourself? As a champion of the oppressed and downtrodden?" asked the old man, his words edged with contempt. "Despite all of this?"
"Or you could die. Here and now," said the Accursed One. "It's your choice."
"You want me to become a monster just like you." The old man sighed heavily, signifying his weariness and disgust. "But you're too late. I'm already a monster."
Before they could react to his words with anything more than puzzlement, he changed shape. He was no longer an old man. Instead, he was huge and hulking, armoured in layers of bone. His hands became spiked gauntlets. Bladed tentacles, barbs and spines sprouted from his back. Moving so fast that it was as if his opponents were wading through treacle, he lashed out with dozens of flailing limbs, stretching across the room, faster than any of them could dodge.
Compared to all of his brothers and sisters, he had always been the weakest portal mage, which was why he had been unable to get back to them quickly enough to rejoin them in fighting off the ambush that had claimed their lives. Conversely, he was a more powerful shapeshifter than any of them. He could turn himself into whatever he wanted to be.
"Nymandor made me. I am Nialliv," he said.
The Accursed Ones screamed as he tore them apart. They were no match for him. He didn't stop until there was nothing left of them but shreds and putrid mush. Still, he knew that even if they were rendered utterly helpless and insensate, unable to move or interact with the world in any way – even if they were reduced to dust – they would still be alive. They would always be alive. That was their curse.
He moved to the back of the room, where he tore open the cage that was keeping the last surviving initiates captive. Even as he approached, they sobbed and cringed in fear. They'd seen what he could do.
When he took a step back and they realised they were free, they fled. Out of the room, as fast as they could, and then… Where would they go? Would they stop to gather provisions, warm clothes and suchlike, or would they run and run until they could run no more? If they went out into the forest, there might be wild beasts or more Accursed Ones there. If they went down the road that led to the nearest settlement, would they find it was still inhabited? Or had it already been destroyed by the Accursed Ones, who must have been feeling confident if they dared to attack a well-known monastery such as this? Nialliv thought it likely that – sooner or later – the initiates would return. Perhaps then he'd be able to speak to them.
Nymandor had intended that he and his siblings would rule humanity from the shadows, with fear and secret manipulations, but none of them had ever been very good at that. More often, it seemed like they had defended humanity from demons, evil spirits, and other foes. Even if he was the last of his family, Nialliv intended to carry on their good work. It was all he could do for them.
And so, he proceeded to search the monastery for more Accursed Ones. There were several of them, all of whom he reduced to bloody fragments before they realised they were in danger. Along the way, he gathered a small group of monks who'd been hiding in various places, and promised to protect them.
Despite the recent horrors, there was a spring in his step and a new hope in his heart. He'd gained a new purpose in life. He felt better than he had in decades. But what should I do now? Where next?
He wondered how many Accursed Ones there were. How long would it take to obliterate every last one of them, especially if they kept adding to their ranks?
I need to know what's been going on outside the monastery, he realised. Perhaps there were only ever a few Accursed Ones – or perhaps they've massed in sufficient numbers to take over the whole of Nehweyr. Either way, I'll do what needs to be done.
Before long, he and the surviving monks had packed up everything they thought they might need for the road, left the monastery behind, and set off on a journey that would take them… somewhere. He found that he was looking forward to it.
Hurondus and his cronies were probably lucky that when they attacked Raef and his family, Nialliv fell into a portal before he could fight back. Otherwise, things might have gone badly for them. He's something of a one-man-army.
Btw, I know I said that this would be the last epilogue, but I'm actually thinking of writing one more, which should tie this quest back together with A Hedge Maze Is You…
Btw, I know I said that this would be the last epilogue, but I'm actually thinking of writing one more, which should tie this quest back together with A Hedge Maze Is You…
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I hope they'll find success in their endeavours and contentment in their life. And that Nialliv will find Samaya and Raef, one day!
OOoh! Take as long as you need!
I feel like there's enough overlap between making an elf and making an Accursed One that they'll meet each other again when following up on rumors.
One last epilogue to tie it all together sounds great.
One last epilogue to tie it all together sounds great.
Flashkannon
Aqua Iconographer
- Location
- TM 91
Nialliv, in the flesh. We knew what he was up to, but seeing it firsthand is another thing. Plus, with the way things are going, the expanding circle of influence he and Samaya's group are generating, they may actually naturally meet up. Unlike Hedgy's future, neither Raef nor Samaya are trapped in fates worse than death.
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Sorry for the belated response, but I am glad to see the Elves slowly, slowly but surely gaining some freedom and coming into their own!
Also real intriguing tuff with Nialliv, I love how all the mundane way he spoke of his past covered who and what he truly was, very clever!
Best of luck with your next epilogue chapter!
Also real intriguing tuff with Nialliv, I love how all the mundane way he spoke of his past covered who and what he truly was, very clever!
Best of luck with your next epilogue chapter!