The Awakening of Moaladia: Second Book of the Haronah Series

[Shaddy]

The World Itself

Haronah is a world much older than ours. The recorded history of the torids of Haronah are ahead of Earth by 5,000 years.
It is a planet 42 light years from Earth.
There are 9 countries in Haronah.

Hena Moaladia (Karosmaic torids)
PaleDwah
D'Loam
Glostro
The United Islands of Sale'Terra
Unsori
N'Lao
Bansanko
Oswan
The oldest country being D'Loam.

There are many different languages but about 4 main ones.
D'Loamian
Sale'Terran
Moaladian
Bansankian


Haronah is the name of the world. Why? Where does the name come from?
The word "haronah" is a Moaladian word meaning "world".
It is pronounced with Moaladian vowel sounds.
The "a" is pronounced like "ate". "Hay-row-nuh".

SPOILER: Click to show

SPOILER: Click to show

*LANGUAGE KEY*
The languages involved in this story are Moaladian, Karosmaic, and Bansankian.
Moaladian words are sweet sounding, and roll of the tongue. They are accompanied by a unique vowel pronunciation.
A- As in “aid”
E- As in “eat”
I- As in “ice”
O- As in “oat”
U- As in “troop”
And the occasional “Y” as a “eat” sound.
When an “R” appears in a word, it should be rolled. An example of a Moaladian word with a rolled “R” is “dura” meaning “speak”.
Karosmaic was before the Moaladian language.
Most of the words the Moaladians speak, come from ancient Karosmaic.
The difference is vowel pronunciation.
A- “aw”
E- “eh”
I- “eat”
O- “oat”
U- “troop”
Karosmaic also has rolled “R”s.
Bansankian is different in some ways, but similar.
The vowel pronunciation is practically the same as Karosmaic, except for the U- "uh"
The language should sound sweet, yet stern.

Prologue: The Fall of Eso

Introduction: Open Arms
The word “Eso” is a Moaladian word, which has its roots in Karosmaic netum (or language). It is a word meaning “friend”.
“The Fall of Eso” is one of the oldest tales the Moaladian people tell. It is a story that teaches not to trust everyone.
Eso was a great city built around the Falls of Truth in 1113, SM (Season of the Mist). It was where the Festival of the Dawn took place every year.
In 1355, SM, 10 years after their arrival, the Bansankians were honored with a ceremony of brotherhood in Eso, and Eda Kinsonk was crowned the first King of Moaladia.
Then…


Ripped Apart: The Night Before
It is a silent and peaceful night, with a soothing breeze coming from the frozen mountain of Inorom.
The city of Eso has quieted its hounds for the night, but two souls remained awake.
“What a night… Reminds me when I first laid eyes upon the Fallen City…” spoke Inode, a young blacksmith.
“You’ve seen the city? It was destroyed hundreds of years ago…” spoke Tre’Lo Bryo, an old Moaladian elder.
“Well… I…”
“Being as… old as I am, I can sort out the truth from the lies… Or the other way around… You’ve never seen the Fallen City… You’re only 56 years of age… The only way you could have seen it… Well, you would’ve had to live there.”
“Were you really born in Karosmah? The Fallen City itself?...”
Tre’Lo looks at the young blacksmith and smiles: “Yes… Yes I was. My father raised me through my young days there… I learned much from him and… Droan Sareso…”
“I miss him… I can’t believe the founder of our country passed away before I got to meet him…”
“Question; how could you miss someone you’ve never met?”
Inode studied Tre’Lo for a minute and then turned away.
“You’re right… I still would’ve liked to meet him though…”
“Listen, young one…” With this, Tre’Lo wrapped his arm around the seemingly troubled young blacksmith, and spoke comforting words.
“In time, all men must die. That’s just how the Master, our god, commands it. For you to want to meet Droan Sareso… Well, It shows that he did something inspiring. He caught your eye, and you looked up to him. To not meet him is disappointing, yes… But his name and legacy lives on.”
Inode looked up at Tre’Lo and asks: “Do you think people will remember me?”
Tre’Lo put both hands on Inode’s shoulders.
“Your life will be worth as much as you spend it.”
“What must I do?”
“Live…”
With this, Tre’Lo gave a pat to the back of Inode, and walked off. Inode went back to gazing at the moon.
Tre’Lo came to the top of the Falls of Truth, to the tower which held the Well of Sight, and dipped the Seeing Bowl in the water of the well. He looked into the bowl and saw from the flowing waters of Androsena, throughout the sleeping city.
“Good, another peaceful night.”
“So it appears.” The words echoed throughout the tower and sent shivers through Tre’Lo. However, he knew the voice.
“Father.” Responded Tre’Lo
“Androsena is sleeping in the care of Droan’s ministers… Great Eso sleeps beneath the watchful eyes of your house, and the other cities safe under the care of the younger Moaladian Council. The camps of the Bansankians, however, have grown restless… Kandurah, the city of Eda Kinsonk, has grown an army. For what? We don’t know…”
“Who is ‘we’?”
A figure appeared out of the shadows in front of Tre’Lo, hooded and cloaked. The figure released the hood from upon his head and revealed Du’Lo Bryo, the father of Tre’Lo.
“The Karosmaic Moaladian Council, the ones who come from Karosmah itself, the ones who established this country.”
“Father, the Bansankians are refugees from their own homeland… They may seek revenge.”
“Yes, but in that matter, why didn’t they come to us seeking aid, or at least tell us their plans?”
“They’ve only been here for three years…”
“That’s a long time to be silent, don’t you think?”
Tre’Lo looked surprised. “Father! You’re suspicious of our neighbors! That’s against the Brotherhood Treaty!”
“I can be suspicious if my heart tells me so!”
Tre’Lo walks away and leans over the Well of Sight and stares into the water.
“Father, the Festival of the Dawn is tomorrow… Your birthday… Let’s forget all of this and think of the future. What say you?”
“I am thinking of the future…” with this, Du’Lo disappears into the shadows.


Ripped Apart: The Final Hours
The morning of the Festival was met with light rain which continued to a heavier rain around the afternoon. However, the Festival was still planned to go on, as scheduled.
Most of the parade performers were in doors practicing, but one of them seemed to be missing.
The doorbell of the Hendor Inn is rung as the door is opened, a man steps inside with his coat pulled above his head.
“Weather lightening up?” jokingly spoke the Inn-Keeper.
“Not as much as I would like… What would you care? When’s the last time you’ve seen the light of day?” with this, the man uncovered his face and revealed himself as Damaton the Wanderer, smiling at the Inn keeper.
“Ahhh… My old friend… What brings you here?”
“I’ve come to be a part of the parade.” Damaton takes off his cloak which uncovered his newly decorated Moaladian armor.
“Beautiful… Who forged it?”
“It was the high smith of Androsena. He also made me this…” Damaton takes out the sword from its scabbard on his waist, and presents it to the Inn Keeper.
“This! This is a… Letorid Sword!... Damaton… Are you a general now?”
Damaton smiled at the Inn Keeper, which gradually got bigger.
“My friend! Ahhh! Things are looking up aren’t they? It seems like yesterday when I taught you the ways of the sword!”
“Ha, yes… I thank you, Banos… The length of my mind never went short when you taught me.
“Nesulu, Damaton… Nesulu…”
“For all that you’ve welcomed me with, nothing was more important…”
“Now… It was just training…”
“No, you taught me how to believe… Believe in my own being.”
Just as Banos opened his mouth to speak to Damaton, the door swung open.
“Excuse me, but have you seen… There you are! Damaton, we need to go, the parade starts with the fall of the sun!”
Banos looked at Damaton and said: “Have fun, this parade is a celebration of life and achievement. Both you have excelled in.
“Thank you my old friend.” And with this, Damaton threw over his cloak and flew out the door into the rain again.
A band of soldiers decorated in the finest armor were waiting inside a large building.
“The sun will be setting soon…” Spoke a soldier.
“He will come.” Said a finely decorated, High Moaladian, Karosmaic Guard.
Right after he spoke, Damaton burst through the door, threw of his cloak and found his place beside the High Guard.
“You were almost late.” Sneered the High Guard.
“The point is I wasn’t…”
“The key word was ALMOST…”
“Relax… The Bansankians haven’t even…”
Before Damaton could finish his sentence, a horn blew beyond the gate of the city.
“They are also late…” said the High Guard as he rode off on his Enetu (horse) to tell the Gate Guard to let in the Bansankians. Then he turned to speak to the soldiers: “Come! We march behind the Bansankians!”
After he spoke, an order was given in Moaladian, and the soldiers marched off.
When Damaton stepped to the open street, he halted with the rest of the soldiers as the Bansankian army marched by.
Oh how the men proudly walked. The Moaladian people were in awe as the shining, unique armor of the Bansankian smiths glistened in the reflection from the moon in the rain water running down the metal.
The men seemed perfectly emotionless, yet, powerful in their discipline.
When the street was cleared, the Moaladian army stepped to the street, following the proud army.
The crowd looked on in amazement, throwing out flowers and Great Tree seeds from the arched homes above the street.
This was it, two peoples of the world, marching together. The theme of the festival that year was, “History Telling Future”, which to the Moaladians meant; once it’s been prophesized, or forseen, it cannot be changed. The arrival of the Bansankians was forseen.
The two armies halted in front of the Waterfall Center Square of the City of Eso. A Karosmaic elder stepped forth to the podium and began to speak.
“Brothers… Sisters… Friends of old, and friends of new. I bid you welcome… To the Thousand of three hundred, fiftieth and eight, New Dawn!” With this the crowd burst with applause and cheers.
“May this festival remind you that the Master is never wrong, and that through history, the future is… FORSEEN!” again the crowd roared with cheers.
“I welcome the Bansankian people, to our homeland. May we eat, drink, and live together… In peace. Begin the party!” Once this was said, the food was brought out in load after load to great tables. Beverages and fine wines were brought in barrels. And music was played throughout the city.
Everybody was enjoying themselves, including the Bansankians.
Damaton sat himself on a stool with a Moaladian ale, and watched the festivities. From across the way, he noticed a beautiful woman looking at him. “Taelo toria…”
Unexpectedly, Banos came up behind him with a slap to the back, causing the ale to spill all over Damaton, making the girl laugh.
“My friend, oh you looked so great out there and… Ahhhh…” Banos notices the girl laughing. “Her name is Seines. She is quite the toria, no?” chuckled Banos.
“I’m going to introduce myself…” responded a smiling Damaton.
As he made his way over, he looked over at a young Bansankian, who appeared nervous.
“That is interesting…” he thought to himself.
He then caught himself looking at more Bansankians who looked odd in the way they behaved. They turned away from conversations, and hardly met eyes with anyone.
He then looked up at the podium and noticed the Bansankian general speaking with the Karosmaic elder, with his hand on his sword.
Just as Damaton was about to put more thought into the matter, he ran into the girl.
“Hey, look where you’re going there, ‘oh, mighty Moaladian soldier.” Spoke the smiling toria.
“Oh, excuse my bumbling manner.” With this, Damaton bowed to the girl.
“My name is Damaton, the Secondary High Guard of Moaladia.”
“I am pleased to be in the presence of a such a fine soldier. I am Seines of Efralo.”
“Efralo? You’ve come a long way…”
“It was worth it…” responded the toria.
Damaton smiled, and right as he was about to ask the girl to dance, he noticed the Bansankian general take his sword out, very swiftly, and stab the elder.
The people started to scream. Damaton drew his sword and headed for the podium. Just then the rest of the Bansankian army drew their swords and began to attack the Moaladian people.
Damaton stood in horror as he saw people being slain. He turned to Seines: “Run! Get out of here! I’ll find you again!” Seines ran as fast as she could.
Damaton struck down as many Bansankians as he could, until he was knocked down. He started to crawl his way behind a turned over table.
A man was holding a chest wound beside him, a man he knew.
“Banos!”
“Damaton… My friend… I’m not going to make it…”
“Don’t say that! I’ll get you out of here…”
“Listen… I want you to have this…” after saying thus, Banos took a necklace off of himself and gave it to Damaton.
“Your inauguration necklace? No… Banos… You’ll survive…”
“Damaton… Save our people…” with death upon him, he turned his head away, closed his eyes and spoke no more.
Damaton, with tears in his eyes, clenched the necklace in his hand.
“Sleep well, son of Moaladia…”
He then looked above the table and noticed a motionless scene.
Bodies of Moaladian soldiers, Bansankian soldiers, and innocent people littered the streets.
Damaton did not know where they went. But he had an idea; they must have retreated to the gate and the reinforced buildings near the walls.
He was right. Damaton ran down the road with a bow in his hand, a few arrows, his sword to his side, and no helmet.
The Bansankians were trying to open the gate, while the Moaladians were trying to stop them.
The weary soldier took shelter behind a wall and picked out targets, he had three arrows, three chances.
A soldier trying to crank open the gate on the right side, the same to the left, and a heavily armed and suited Bansankian Brute, killing all who opposed him.
Damaton drew the first arrow, and shot it. It stuck through the head of the brute. The excited Damaton peered from behind the wall to analyze the targets and noticed Seines hiding and crying behind a small shelter made of shields. He meant to yell that he would protect her, when the wall exploded and the rubble flew everywhere, blocking Damaton’s vision with dust. A rock suddenly hit him in the head, and he fell.
The walls were breached from the outside with explosives. The army of Bansanko then raided the city.
Damaton’s sight dimmed… He saw the motionless body of the girl… His vision went black.
The city of Eso was lost that night, and was a constant sight of the war which erupted between Moaladia and Bansanko. The war only lasted for two years, but changed the country forever.
The Bansankians defeated the Moaladians, and King Eda Kinsonk renamed Moaladia: Paledwah, meaning “Found land”.
332 years pass…

[Shaddy]

Chapter 1: Passing the Torch

The morning breaks a-new on the island of Lonser, off of Paledwah. There is a clean and peaceful feeling in the air. Jahedous Haimer, successful trader from the village of Lon, knows that the day has come. He sets off his young apprentice alone on trading business for the first time, as a passage of manhood.
“Kaol? Where is that boy…? Kaol! You don’t want to miss your first day!”
“Father… I’m over here…” responds the young Kaol.
“Ahh… There you are… Are… Are you ready?”
“I’ve been up since before the break of light.”
“Great! You are either excited, anxious... Nervous… Or all three!”
“So, where is the cart?”
“Right! Cart… Ehhhhhmmm…” As he spoke, he went off searching near the barn for the trading cart.
“Father, isn’t it…”
“Patience, boy… You shouldn’t distract me…”
“Father…”
“Not now!”
What Haimer didn’t realize was that he had already brought the cart out, and it was sitting outside the front door.
“Father, come here…”
Haimer finally made his way around to the front of the house.
“Ahhh… Look! I found it! Kaol, why didn’t you tell me it was here?”
Kaol looked at Haimer with astonishment for a while, and then finally said: “Shall we go?”
“Yes, son, but remember: I’m only taking you as far as the Blue Woods.”
“I know.”
“Let us go… Ehhhh… Let me grab a few things first.” Said Haimer.
Kaol had just turned 19, which meant the beginning of manhood, and getting to trade on his own. His father was a successful craftsman whose work was sought after throughout the island, and parts of Paledwah.
The village of Lon sits beneath the rolling Green Hills; near the cliffs that over looked the sea.
The homes are built alongside the hills, atop of great wooden supporters. The buildings themselves are personalized to the family that lives there, with a crest above the door, and their own unique walkway.
On the biggest hill, sits the mighty Hall of the Hill, the mayor’s home and office.
The Haimer Workshop was near the Shady Hill, and was an extensive building, with added on rooms, and a barn in the back. It was not suspended in the air like the other homes.
Aside from Haimer’s success, Kaol was a quiet boy. The neighbors often joked about the “mouse” offspring of the mighty “lion”.
Kaol often went off to the cliffs that overlooked the sea, and sat for hours wondering about what is beyond.
He had heard stories of islands and other countries far beyond. His father told him that a man from the country of D’Loam, had come through Paledwah about 30 years before.
Haimer often wondered if Kaol would also be successful in the business. He often got worried about his son’s lack of interest in much of anything.
Inside of the house, Haimer was going through a chest of weapons, looking for one that would be suitable for Kaol. He picked up a short sword in its scabbard, and decided to give it to him.
“Kaol…”
“Father?”
“Here, I want you to have this.” Said Haimer as he stepped into the cart with the Enatu strapped to it.
“A sword?” as he said this, Kaol drew the sword from its cover. “It’s beautiful.”
“Yes… Yes it is… Take it with you… You never know when you will need it.”
“Thank you, father.”
“Shall we go then?”
Kaol shook his head, “yes”, and they rode off to the south, for the Blue Woods.
The landscape around Lon was green, full of trees, and scarce of roads. Only one ran from Lon to the village of Demota.
The journey would be long; Kaol and his father would have to make camp at the Blue Woods.
The Blue Woods were mysterious; few dare go off of the path into the thick of it. Local lore goes about on the tale of a creature that hides inside, snatching wanderers as they venture off the path.
To pass the time, Kaol went to sleep aboard the cart.
His dreams were strange; he couldn’t recall what he was seeing.
A man was kneeling down, sword in his hand, and blood on his body. He was weeping and staring off into the darkness. Suddenly, the darkness turned into a scene, a scene of bodies, warriors, and fighting. It was a war. Some of the warriors started to run toward the kneeling soldier in terror. They were retreating. Behind them, the opposing side stood there, regrouping themselves.
The kneeling warrior looked about. He saw the bodies of his fallen, allies, and friends. His expression started to change from sorrow, to anger.
He stood up, and turned to his enemies. He then started to walk toward them.
Behind, the soldiers on his side, were calling him to come back, but the soldier didn’t listen.
At this point, the warrior started to run.
Faster…And Faster! He is picking up speed. Soldiers start to run with him. They know what he is doing, and why he is doing it.
The group of soldiers grows in size, and then turns into a wave of angry warriors. They begin to pick up intense speed, cursing, chanting and yelling as they charge!
And right as the soldiers reach their enemies, Kaol wakes up.
“Kaol… Are you alright?”
“Yes, yes… I’m… ok.” Kaol looks about his surroundings. “Where are we?”
“The border of the Blue Woods. Come; help me get a fire going before to darkness falls.”
The two begin to light a fire for their camp in the shadow of the Blue Woods.
Every now and then, Kaol can’t help but look in wonder into the dark of the woods and the trees the fade into nothing.
“Incredible, isn’t it? These woods have never been explored by anyone who has made it out. I believe they get lost… They woods DO go from here, to the border of Demota, then to the west, on the border of the river coming from Crola. You must go through this forest twice on your journey.” Said Haimer
“Do you know of the creature, father?” asked Kaol.
“Lenur the Brisk… Oh, how the name sends chills through my body…”
Haimer paused for a moment, looking down, and said: “The Moaladian people told of it long before our people came to the mainland…” Haimer paused again. “… The beast was once a man, a torio of Moaladia. He made his prospects good, and served his family well. But in good times, dark things still emerge… The man learned the black speech of Hasio Netum, and spoke foul, and cursed words in the dark of Inorom, the frozen mountain. The Council of Androsena found out, and cast him out of the country… Somehow, he made his way to Lonser, then to these woods.”
“He’s a beast?”
“Being alone for so long and being in the dark of the world has warped his body into a thin and ghastly figure… They say he can blend with the wood of the trees… That’s how he strikes the ones who venture off the paths…” Haimer paused, looked into the forest, then at Kaol. “You be careful out there, boy… The world beyond our home is dangerous yet full of wonder. Come now, get some rest. Sleep.”
With this, Kaol finally shut his eyes and set into a slumber. Haimer knew that he had to act fast to get on the road before Kaol awoke. Part of the farmer’s tradition was to leave the young man alone so he would be forced to fend for his own.
Haimer was packed, and ready to head out. The last thing he did was extinguish the campfire. Then he was gone.
Kaol was dreaming, this time, it was a dream about a great city atop a floating island. There were huge trees that grew from the island, and huge building grew alongside them. The city seemed to glow when the suns hit it.
Then he saw a man, standing in a great balcony overlooking the sea. He had an orb in his hand, and it was glowing. He seemed to hold it dear to him, but kept it secret from others.
The dream suddenly changed to a great courtroom, where the man was being yelled at.
What did he do? Did this have to do with the orb?
The dream changed again and focused on a different man, one from the court room. He too, had an orb. Was it the same? It too, glowed, and he kept it secret, yet dear to him. Suddenly, a knife was rushed through his heart, and his mouth was covered by a hand. The man who stabbed him, hid the body, and then took the orb and ran off.
What is going on? What is so important with these orbs?
Then the dream went black. Darkness… No sound, no light… Just darkness.
A flame was struck into the blackness, and then dropped to the ground. When it did, a huge fire erupted over a silhouette of the floating city. The burning, floating city was contained in the orb itself, which was held by an old, deformed, and rotting hand. Then, a cackle was heard, a bone chilling laugh that Kaol couldn’t escape.
Then he awoke.
The day was broken, and the birds were singing. Kaol looked around and observed his surroundings. He was alone. The only company he had was the enatu that bore the cart.
The enatu’s name was Ora, and he was an old steed given to Haimer by the Representatives of Kandurah. But beside his age, Ora was faithful and never gave up on his duties to his master.
After breakfast, which was a fine biscuit that Haimer had prepared the night before, Kaol looked over his shoulder at the shadow he had been avoiding that whole morning. The forest sat quietly, but it’s mystery, and the anxiety caused from its darkness was screaming in Kaol’s ears. Kaol decided that the only way to find out it’s secrets, was to enter the woods.
With his newfound confidence, Kaol jumped on the cart, drew over his hood, and called for Ora to move on.
The darkness was penetrated by Kaol’s cart sometime before Tesa Fetel rose the highest in the sky, and Tesa Fatel was heading toward the horizon.
Inside the forest, everything went quiet, and any other sound echoed. The footsteps from Ora were so loud, Kaol had to cover his ears. Suddenly, every sound was ringing from all around. The branches from the trees, stones being shifted, the leaves in the trees. Kaol’s mind raced.
What’s that? It’s just a twig…
Footsteps? From who? Oh… Just the water splashing about…
Who’s whispering? What? Whispering in the dark! Wait... The wind…
Kaol couldn’t let his mind be at ease, every sound made him flinch.
There was a light in the distance. The light from the sun? Was the end of the woods already upon him?
Getting closer now… Yes… A way out.
Kaol noticed that the light was moving. A flame.
“Someone is camping in the woods?” asked Kaol who then stepped off of the cart and tied Ora to a tree. He then creeped up behind a large trunk and observed the camp. It was small, a fire blazing, with a shelter made out of leaves in the background. A pack of provisions rested outside of the shelter.
A man suddenly stepped out of the shelter with his sword drawn, and he surveyed the area carefully. Kaol ducked down, trying to silence any noise he made.
The area suddenly went pitch black and dead silent.
The fire was extinguished.
Kaol couldn’t breathe. His heart was pounding so loud, he thought it would give away where he was.
Was silence was unbearable.
What to do?
Kaol began to think.
He could jump on Ora, cut the rope, and ride off…
He could face the man; but what if he wanted to fight?
What then?
“Stand on your feet.” Commanded a voice from the darkness.
Kaol put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Don’t get any ideas. You wouldn’t be able to draw it without dying first.” Said the voice
“Where are you?”
“Don’t worry about it, just stand… Up!” exclaimed the voice.
With this, Kaol stood to his feet, trying to look for the man.
“What are you doing here?” asked the voice.
“I could ask you the same.” Said Kaol.
“The truth… But it doesn’t change the fact that the man who has asked you first, has a blade aimed to you.”
“I am a trader… Heading to the village of Demota.”
“From Lon?” asked the voice.
“Ehmmm… Yes…”
“You’re not Haimer, yet you have his cart… Have you killed him?” asked the voice.
“Wait… How did…”
“Answer the question.” Commanded the voice.
“No, he is my father… I am completing my training by going alone on a trading route.”
“Father, you say? I do not see the resemblance… Yet, I do not see deceit in your eyes…”
With this, the sound of a sword being put back was heard, and the fire was relit.
The man was standing by the relit fire. He was in a cloak with the hood drawn over his face. His long hair and hilt of the sword were the only things Kaol could see coming from under the cloak.
“Were you there the whole time?” asked Kaol
“Yes.” Said the man.
“But… You were in front of me…”
“No… I was here… But my voice was not.”
“Who are you?” asked Kaol.
The man lowered his hood and revealed an aged face.
“I have many names… The torids of Lonser call me: Nesur, which means ‘shadow’. In Paledwah, by the Moaladians, I am named : Hetorio, meaning ‘hidden man’. But my name has remained the same… Borus… Son of Undus. Now that mine is spoken…”
Kaol suddenly interrupted Borus: “What are you doing in the Blue Woods?”
“You know… The wise men of Kandurah once told me a very useful thing; have patience. This is pass on to you.” Sarcastically spoke Borus. “Come, tell me your name.”
“My name is Kaol.”
“Kaol?” asked Borus “Moaladian… Heaven?” said Borus under his breath.
“I’m sorry… Heaven?” asked Kaol.
“Kaol is not a Bansankian name.”
Kaol stood silent.
“Spare me… Can you make sense of my words?”
Kaol shook his head.
“I shall use the simpler tongue… Your name does not come from this island, nor from the language of your ‘father’. It comes an older race of people known as the Moaladians. Your name means ‘heaven’ in their language. Now, I find this particularly interesting because a Bansankian would never name their child after any foreign tongue.”
Kaol couldn’t find words to express how confused he was.
“Very interesting…” Borus stared off for a second. “We need to leave.”
Kaol finally spoke: “Emmm… To where?”
“Get that cart of yours, and get back onto the…” just before Borus could finish his command, a screech-like howl echoed through the woods.
Borus suddenly packed his things with haste.
“Get on the road, now!”
Kaol started for the cart with haste. He did not know what was happening, but it struck fear into his heart.
“What’s happening?” asked Kaol
“Lenur is upon us…” said the hasty Borus.
Fear amplified throughout Kaol.
“Don’t just stand there, boy!” with this, Kaol sprung to action, untied Ora, helped Borus throw his things into the cart, and jumped on. Borus jumped on after him.
“Make haste, Kaol, and do not look back.” Commanded Borus.
Kaol started to rush Ora on the road. The screech echoed again which made Ora uneasy and he ran faster.
The cart was running down the forest road faster than Kaol has ever seen.
“We’re approaching the edge of the trees!”
Kaol looked ahead and noticed light breaching through the trees.
The screech echoed again; this time, closer than before, and Kaol was becoming very frightened.
“Don’t lose yourself, Kaol! Keep your head!”
With this, Kaol took a deep breath, and steered the cart with his focused mind.
The light was getting closer.
The woods began to light up.
The cart finally reached the last few trees.
Suddenly, a hand stretched out from the right side of the forest. Borus then drew his sword and struck at it, sending a horrible screech through the air, and the hand drew back.
The cart broke through to the open field just outside of the trees, and then slowed down.
Kaol looked about, then to the forest, and fainted.
While he was in the blackness of his dream state, he heard words in different tongues ringing through the air. Reverberating from every angle.
The words were being spoken faster, and faster.
Then stopped.
Kaol awoke.

[Shaddy]

Chapter 2: The Unexpected Turn

“Kaol…” Borus said, gasping “Are you alright?”
Kaol sat and caught his breath for a second, and said: “I only need my air, but I’m alright.” Kaol paused for a second, looked back to the woods and said: “Borus… The creature?”
“The eyes of the boughs of the trees… The Lenur. Yes… It was upon us.” Borus put his sword back in its sheath. “Strange… It usually attacks torids who stay off the road… We got back on.”
“What are you saying?”
“The creature may have had a different purpose… A motive not seen before…”
“Borus…” said Kaol “How do you know all of this?”
Borus paused for a second. “Come, let’s get back on the road to Demota, and I’ll explain.”
The two got back on the main road to Demota, The City of the Cliffs. It was situated on the high cliffs of the Eastern side of Lonser, weaving down into the cliffs, making it a city with levels.
“How far is Demota?” asked Kaol.
“Ahhh… I think we’re close… About fifty miles now.” Said Borus.
The landscape was different past the woods to the East. There were large fields with waves of crops and small farms. Beyond, in view, was the sea. The shining water painted a mood to the area that Kaol has never felt before. It felt strange, yet calming.
The cart was going along the road with a steady pace, when Borus started to slow it down.
“Neta tu, Ora. Neta.”
Ora stopped to the side of the road.
“What are you doing?” asked Kaol.
Borus hopped out of the cart and stepped out in the open field.
“Borus…”
“Silence, Kaol.” Commanded Borus who started to pound on the ground with a stick he picked up.
Kaol didn’t understand what was happening. Demota was just beyond the next few fields, and he needed to stick to the schedule.
He started to think about leaving… Leaving Borus behind. He didn’t need him, he was just an odd wanderer with a sword, right?
Yes…
It would be easy…
Start off Ora to a slow walk, and then ease into a faster pace.
Borus wouldn’t even notice.
The fool…
Kaol then begun to have Ora ease off the road, when a knife flew and stuck into the side of the cart, halting Ora, and freezing Kaol in his action.
“Do not move.” Said Borus who threw the knife. The odd sword wielder then jumped up, and slammed his feet upon the ground, disappearing into it.
“Borus!” Kaol exclaimed as he jumped out of the cart, running to the spot. And just before he could shout his name again, he heard a voice.
“Kaol, I’m fine. Come down here.”
Kaol went to the spot and noticed a tube running into the ground.
“What about the cart?” Kaol asked.
“It should be fine.” Echoed Borus’ voice from the tube.
Kaol began to worry and his mind troubled him.
What should he do?
Should he enter the tube after Borus?
What if Borus were to run his sword through him?
Why did he even accompany him in the first place?
What if he doesn’t get to Demota in time?
He needs to make his father proud!
His father… Borus said something earlier about Haimer not being his father.
What does he know?
The anxiety is building within the young torid.
He must know.
His limbs are now aching to jump into the tube.
He braces himself, and then jumps.
Down, down and down he went, through the tube. Yelling as he goes. Then suddenly he dropped on a cushion.
“Glad you could make it.” Said Borus
Kaol stood up and examined the room he was in. It was a small room, with tunnels leading off in different directions, and ladders leading back to the surface. In the corner of the room, there was a small bed. In another corner, there was a collection of weapons.
“Where am I?” asked Kaol.
“Just something I put together in my time alone…”
“You built this?” asked Kaol.
Borus looked at Kaol and said “Yes.” Then walked down one of the tunnels and said “about 30 different tunnels to the surface, and 15 different tunnels down here.”
“Where do they lead to?” asked Kaol who was following Borus.
“Oh… Houses I own, shops I frequent, cities I… Go… To” Borus stepped into a small hole in the wall of the tunnel. “I brought you down here, because I have something for you.”
Kaol noticed armor and helmets in the hold Borus was in. Suddenly he heard a great deal of clanging and meshed metal.
“This…” said Borus emerging from the hole with a metal shirt. “Is Bansankian Lebosaur maille.” With this, he handed a chainmaille shirt to Kaol.
“What will I need this for?” asked Kaol.
Borus motioned for Kaol to follow him, and led him to a ladder.
“This will lead us back to the cart.” Said Borus who started up the ladder.
The ladder was long and was made out of thick logs which made it sturdier and able to reach such heights without giving out.
Finally, the ladder led to a wooden door in the ceiling which Borus opened and the sun penetrated the dark of the ladder tunnel.
“Here we are.” Said Borus who stepped into the open field. “Come, we must clear some of the inventory from the cart before we head into town.”
“What? No… This must be delivered as scheduled!” said Kaol who stepped in front in Borus.
“You make it seem as if your skin is thick, coming between a skilled sword master.”
“I do what I can to protect my duty to my father.”
“Kaol… Let my words come believable to you…” Borus paused for a second. “Your… Haimer is dead.”
Kaol froze a second and then said “You lie…”
Borus changed the expression on his face from sorrow to offended. “You come to think that I would lie? I…” with this, Borus silenced himself, breathed in and said “Haimer was ambushed during the night, a fews miles from the forest.”
“How do you know this?”
Borus then brought out a ring from his pocket. “This was his…”
“Did you kill him?” asked Kaol.
“No… I did not… It was Hasiotorids… Bandits from Paledwah. They’ve been roaming the lands of Paledwah and Lonser in packs now… Here, take the ring.”
Kaol took the ring from Borus and slipped it on his finger. “What am I to do?”
“You have options… You could continue your father’s legacy, and continue his trading. Or, you can come with me, avenge him, and find out who you really are.”
“What do you mean? Who am I?” asked Kaol.
“Not a Haimer…”
“How will we find out?” asked Kaol again.
“We must go to Paleton, the Bansankian stronghold of Lonser. There, we can have council with Lendon the All-Knowing.”
“Is it far?” asked Kaol.
“It’s on the far west side of Lonser, the journey would be long.”
Kaol thought for a second, looking to the sea.
“Then let us start.” Said Kaol.
“Right.” Said Borus who started for the cart. “We must clear enough space for provisions.”
“From Demota?” asked Kaol.
“You know… The wise men of Kandurah once told me to not ask so many questions… It doesn’t allow the brain any silence to think.” Sarcastically spoke Borus.
“I have received your point…” said the annoyed Kaol who started to take things out of the cart.
After emptying much of the inventory, the two set off for Demota.
The wooden walls of the city started to grow from the horizon.
“There.” Said Borus pointing to the city. “Demota, the City of the Cliffs! You know, they say it was founded by Maset Kinsonk, when he struck his fist on the ground and broke off 3 levels where the inner city was built.”
“That sounds fantastic…” said Kaol.
“Maset Kinsonk was 10 feet tall, and had the arms of tree trunks! Swords could not penetrate his skin! He was the iron man of Lonser!”
“What happened to him?” asked Kaol.
Borus paused for a moment “He died…”
“How did he die?”
“By failing his life and becoming just another man… After that… He died just like any other man. He was a legend for what he did, but then ceased his great life.” Borus leaned back in the cart and looked to the sky. “The Kinsonk family is the Family of Legends. Each one of them has done great things… The first being Eda Kinsonk the son of Banedo, the King of West Bansanko. Eda was the first king of Moaladia and Paledwah…” Borus looked at Kaol. “You seem lost when I speak of countries… Do you know of Paledwah? The new country of Bansanko? Or Moaladia! The lost kingdom of the children of Karosmah?”
“I’ve heard tales… My father has told me that Paledwah used to be Moaladia…” said Kaol.
“Indeed, Paledwah was once Moaladia…During the last years of the Season of the Mist, the Bansankian people came to a small island, belonging to Moaladia… The people were refugees, running from their own fallen country to the North: Bansanko the Great. They were at war with the country to the West of the island: Oswan. The Oswanen army drove the people to the south, and Banedo had no choice but to have his people flee on the great boats… In the final battle, Banedo was cornered by the Supreme Archers of Oswan… He fell that day… Eda looked to his country, his home and saw it burning… He decided to move his people out… To carry on his father’s orders… To leave their home…” Borus paused, looked at Kaol, and then looked to the East. “That island there… In the distance, do you see it? There lie the ruins of the village of Dwefarom, the first settlement of the Bansankians away from their home country… It was over populated; families lived with other families…

[Shaddy]

>>>There were no means of privacy. Worst of all, the food was running scarce, and disease filled the air… Eda’s brother Oda, became terribly ill himself. He died after a year of living in the settlement.” Borus paused. “Eda made a call to Sena, the god himself to help his people, to save them all. Suddenly, the mists of the sea cleared… On the horizon appeared a vast land. Mountains and forests were seen. The Bansankians wept with the first sight of it. Eda knew that they must go there. The year was Three of thousand- forty… And… Ehmmm… Six! Yes… It was the Season of the Clearing, and the Bansankians finally moved their people to the land they found. But, they weren’t expecting what happened… They met the people of Moaladia. Moaladia was the country they found. The Bansankians were disappointed to see that the land was taken, but the Moaladians welcomed them and took care of every last one. After a year, there was no language barrier; they could communicate with each other. And after nine years of living together, Tre’Lo Bryo, the leader of the Moaladians, crowned Eda Kinsonk their king. It always seemed strange to me why they did such a thing… A foreign king? But it happened… They say that the brotherhood was strong between the two cultures… Peace was sung daily through Moaladia…” Borus paused again, but his eyes began to light up. “With a king, came a great city… Kandurah! It was built in the hollow mountain the Moaladians called ‘Hetur Ani’ meaning ‘heated mountain’. It was the jewel of Eda’s reign.”
“Didn’t the Bansankians make war with the Moaladians?”
“Have patience.” Snapped Borus. “It was the other way around… The Moaladians grew hostile toward Eda and his reign… Restricting trade between cities, limiting paths, segregating cultures, and banning anything Bansankian from the Moaladian market. They didn’t want their ‘fine’ culture to be… ‘Tainted’… There was a festival… The… Ehmmm…” Borus paused to think. “Ahh! Festival of the Dawn!” he finally said. “This festival was important to them, and the Bansankians were finally invited to be a part. But that night… Was when everything changed… The Bansankian army marched through the city of Eso, looking as proud as any army, and the Moaladian people let their tongues loose. Cursing them, and throwing food at the men! Suddenly, the Moaladian people charged at the soldiers… The soldiers fought back, which made the Moaladian army charge… Fighting broke out… The night was filled with bitter and innocent blood… And in their angry violence, the Moaladians foolishly burnt the city of Eso to the ground!”
“What happened then?” asked Kaol.
Borus looked at Kaol. “War… War raged between the two peoples… But in the end, the Bansankians stormed the capital of Androsena and forced Tre’Lo Bryo to call off the advancing troops.” Borus sighed. “The Moaladians surrendered… And from their guilt, the country of Moaladia was given over to the Bansankians. Eda declared the country: Paledwah… That’s how it happened… Three of hundred years ago…”
“Are the Moaladians still in Paledwah?” asked Kaol.
“Well… Yes… Most of the Moaladians that were there are still alive.”
“How is that possible?” asked Kaol.
“Moaladians have Karosmaic blood running through them… Legend has it that the torids of Karosmah had long life… They could live forever! Du’Lo Bryo himself, is as old as time itself… The only way a Moaladian can die, is through the hand of another.”
“To live forever… That would be amazing…” said Kaol.
“Maybe… But, what if your long life has a chapter of guilt?”
“I see…” said Kaol.
“The Moaladians are traitors…” finished Borus.
There was not much conversation after that. Silence, thinking, and steady travelling took place.
Finally, the cart reached the open gates of Demota. Without any trouble or hesitation, they went inside the city.
Once inside, Kaol noticed the small, but wide and detailed buildings. The main road branched off in several directions, to the cliffs, to the market place, to the political square, and to the armory. Borus directed Kaol to go toward the cliffs.
“Shouldn’t we heard to the market?” asked Kaol.
“Have you any form of money?”
Kaol just looked at Borus.
“I didn’t think so…” said Borus who took the reins. “I know of a… Friend… He can get us what we need, but we need to get to the cliffs.”

The cart travelled all the way to the cliffs when Borus halted Ora.
“Neta tu, Ora. Neta.” Said Borus.
“What does that mean?” asked Kaol.
“Hold now, Ora. Hold.” Answered Borus.
Kaol quietly repeated it under his breath.
“Come now, we must get inside.” Said Borus.
The entrance to the cliff dwellings was a hollowed cave leading to stairs splitting in different directions to different levels.
“What level?” asked Kaol.
“If I remember correctly…”
“Hold on… Are you navigating through memory?” asked Kaol.
Borus looked at Kaol and smiled “Yes.”
“Which way then?” asked Kaol.
Borus bobbed his head to the North Stair “There.”
Borus led on down the stairs, past many buildings, stopping here and there… Backtracking… Making circles… And finally, seeming satisfied in front of an old, and boarded up building.
“What?” said Kaol looking at the building, then at Borus. “What is this?”
“THIS… Kaol, is the entrance to the secret cavern.”
“Secret cavern?” said a skeptical Kaol.
“Be silent.” Snapped Borus who walked up to the building. He then began to tap on the door with the tip of his finger, as if to look for a certain spot. “Ah… Here it is.” He tapped three times on a nail that was etched with a small symbol. Suddenly, the floor opened up and a small set of stairs appeared.
“Enter the cavern.” Said Borus.
Kaol stepped down into the dark of the staircase.
“I can’t see!” said Kaol.
“Hush, now… Trust your feet and walk.” Said Borus.
The dark began to light up, revealing an open room, a cavern that stretched down to the far dark below. The stairs connected to a suspended floor made out of metal sheets, that led out to a platform in the heart of the cavern. There, a fire was blazing atop of a fire table. All around the platform, were boxes, some of which were stacked so very high. Beside the fire, sharpening a brilliant looking sword, was a man. He had a long and magnificently braided beard which practically touched the floor. His hair was about as long, and had the same type of braid.
“Teneo! Teneo the ‘all great giver’!” said Borus who stepped on the platform with an enthusiastic walk.
“Nay! Trader… NOT giver… Who enters my cavern?” asked Teneo who looked up with a most serious gaze.
Borus stopped in his tracks. “Borus, son of Undus! From the line of Hetar! The great...”
Borus was suddenly interrupted by Teneo: “Son of Undus… Borus Hetar… Ha… ‘The great’ nothing…” finished Teneo. “What do you want?”
Borus hesitated. “Provisons… We need a weeks’ worth of dried meat.”
“That’s it?” asked Teneo.
“Well…”
“Yes? Come now… You expect me to believe that you’re just here for dried meat? You can get that from the market! Or you could make it yourself! Borus, son of Undus!”
“Alright! Yes… I am here for something more… Selo tenya Paleton, macesal.”
“Namacesal selo pe! Lat lose las, yas pe tunes les atcatel! Na, sena las nate.”
Kaol did not know what they were talking about, but he knew it was the language of Bansanko. He did notice that Borus said “Paleton”, which was the city they were travelling to. Suddenly, Borus started to speak in a language Kaol could understand: “Where then? How would I get a boat, if I don’t have a map of the city, to know where the key vault is?”
“Look, Borus… I can give you your meat… But to tell you where a latenya is… I cannot, for I don’t even know…” said Teneo.
“Very well… What must I trade?” asked Borus.
“I’ll take your sword…”
“What? Na! Pe nate tem! This sword is the only means of protection for us!”
“Sword, or no meat…” said Teneo.
Borus had a very heated expression upon his face, but he started to undo his sheath from his belt.
“Borus, no…” said Kaol who was suddenly distressed.
“We’ll take two weeks’ worth.” Bargained Borus.
Teneo studied Borus for a while. “Agreed.” And with this, Teneo got up and started to pack large sacks with dried meat. Then he handed them to Borus, who threw them over his shoulders.
“Come, Kaol… Let us leave.” said Borus who sounded saddened by the turn of events.
“Borus, pe oneda.” Calmly said Teneo.
With this, Borus nodded his head and started out of the cavern with Kaol following right behind.
“What did he say?” asked Kaol.
Borus sighed, “He said I should be careful.”
After that, the two didn’t do much talking until they went all the way back to the cart and loaded it.
“Kaol, are you ready to venture to faraway lands?” asked Borus.
“I could take down beasts if I had to!” exclaimed Kaol.
“You are quite ambitious for one with not sleep? Come, we shall rest. Then, at dawn, we leave.”
“Where do we rest?”
Borus looked at Kaol. “Why, in the cart…”
“Oh…” said a saddened Kaol.
Not much talking occurred after that, only the settling down for sleep.
That night, Kaol had the dream of a burning house. His. The Haimer farm was in a fierce blaze, but everything else around it was calm and sound. Even people passing by did not notice the fire.
What could it mean?