Veil of the Dragon (Prophecy of the Evarun) (28 page)

Epilogue

Solace

Olivia rested her head against the frame of the open doorway. The small prayer stone given to her by her sister Bakassas more than a lifetime ago, slid easily between her fingers.

The fall of the night had deepened but few had yet to return to their
c
hambers. The long night of mourning for the passing of Al-Thinneas
,
and so many others and so much else, had only just begun. 

Her old friend stood alone in his chamber, his back towards her, a leather satchel open on the pallet before him.

“What coun
sel
decieved you, Maedelous?”
she
asked. “Where will you go now to find solace from the things you’ve done?” 

Maedelous’ thin hands hovered just within the open satchel. 

“Would you go to the Theocracy, where the Dragon still finds refuge?” she continued. “Or would you go further east, to find solace amongst the Caliphates of the Khaalish, with whom you’ve wed?”

“You would do well to watch the words you speak,” Maedelous answered.

“I speak only truth,” Olivia said. “Al-Hoanar has already confessed to me of your treatise with the Khaalish, and of the trap you set for Chaelus.”

“I think your truth has fallen short of wisdom.”  

“But it doesn’t lie.”

“Nor does it shy away from disparity,” Maedelous muttered. “But choose whatever truth you will.” 

“It’s a long path we’ve taken together, Maedelous. You and I alone remember what truths have come to pass.”

Maedelous drew his satchel tight. “The watchtowers of the Twelve have fallen.  Their passing hasn’t gone unnoticed. I travel south to seek what word there may be amongst the people there. I believe I will find the faith of the Goarnni to be far less fickle.” 

Olivia absorbed the pain in her heart, staring away as Maedelous passed her in the doorway. She listened as his hurried footsteps faded.

She stepped into Maedelous’ chamber. His pallet was neatly made. The sparse utility of his chest marked the only other furniture on this side of the simple black curtain which had been drawn across the small room.

Olivia threw it aside.

Upon a stand in the corner, Maedelous had hung his lorica. Scarred and beaten from battles and age, it had still been cared for. For loyalty. For love. For faith. The thin candlelight flickered against its polished steel bands.

On the stand beneath it, Maedelous’ legion sword lay at rest. The same flicker of candlelight danced across it, the gossamer of its binding left folded beside it.

Glossary of the Pale

Bakassas

Marsh kindom of the Witch Queen.

Cenotaph

Tombs of black stone left empty since the time of by Gorondian Empire, they’re used now by the living to house the newly dead.

Col Durath

The watchtower of old at the center of the Garden of Rua.

The Dragon’s Sleep

A plague that consumes both the spirit and the flesh.

Evarun

The Forgotten Ones. Once holiest of the peoples of the Pale, they fled to their own exile in the lands of the east centuries ago with the rise of the Gorondian Empire. Some consider them to be Angels.

Expulsion

The defeat of the Dragon of legend and exile of it beyond the Line.

Fallen Ones

The Servian Lords after their fall from Grace.

Ghaardi

Savior

Giver

Chosen prophet of the Evarun.

Gorond

The evil dragon of prophecy and legend.

 
Gorondian empire

An empire of wizards that ruled the Pale a century ago.

Gossamer Blade

Sword and symbol of the Servian Knights, its edge bound by Gossamer to mark their oath never to shed the blood of man.

Hallas Barren

Southern Gateway to the Garden of Rua.

Hallas Farren

Northern Gateway to the Garden of Rua.

Happas

Ancient highways built by the Evarun.

House

The designation of property and relations of the Roan Kingdoms.

Line

Fortified wall built by the Servian Lords to watch for the Dragon’s return.

Lossos

Sanctuary of knowledge.

Madea

Ritual bath and gateway.

Magedos

Where the Dragon of legend was defeated.

Measure

The rule of honor, law and war of the Roan Kingdoms.

Nephelium

The three Angelic Messengers of Rua.

Northern March

Northern Roan kingdoms.

Pale

The known world.

Remnants

The Dragon’s minions.

Roan Kingdoms

Independent kingdoms of the west governed by the rule of the Measure.

Rua

The Creator. God of the Evarun and Sacred Sovereign of the Pale.

Sanseveria

Land of exile of the Servian Knights. Its center and heart is the Garden of Rua.

Schism

The splintering of the Servian Order from the Servian Lords who once ruled it.

Servian Knights

Order of Knights forbidden to shed the blood of man. Raised by the Servian Lords to defend the Line against the return of the Dragon.

Servian Lords

The first twelve raised by the Giver of old. They raised the pale from the Dragon’s Sleep, but in the end, fell themselves.

Shoa

Rua.

Spigot

Cruel double ended weapon of the gladiatorial pits of Goarnn.

Theocratic Council

Secular Lords of the city states of the Pale.

Theocratic states

Also called the Theocracy, the united city states of the Pale, goverened by the Theocratic Council and the Taurate.

Tulon

City state with ties and treaties to the Roan Kingdoms.

Taurate

Priests who preside over the Theocratic Council

Void

Death.

White Towers

Twelve stone towers built by the Evarun to watch over the hearts of men.