Laret

Table of Contents Prologue: Tearmain’s visit 2 Chapter one: New beginning after death 8 Chapter Two: The Dead Aren’t Done 79 Chapter Three: Tripper’s Journey 114 Chapter Four: One strange moment? 156 Chapter Five: Ever-Knot 216 Chapter Six: Battles 250 Chapter Seven: The Swim 276 Chapter Eight: Penner’s Battle 286 Chapter Nine: Fight for Dartoln 293 Chapter Ten: Death of a Hero 308   Prologue: Tearmain’s visit Winter 21 Pine The god’s breath roars outside the stone structure at over one-hundred kilometres an hour; the sphere has no cover obscuring the twinkling souls of the night sphere. Other than that, it is another average night in Selenad’s house in Shespan’s capital city. The Shestan hero is worshiped by many of his fellow shes, but tonight we watch as Selenad is praying. The blood drips from the human’s neck as Selenad slices it open over the offering bowl to the god Tearmain. Selenad smiles and shows his teeth as the woman struggles, screaming as she is cut open in an offering to Tearmain. We scream as well with the final cut of thirty-nine to her body. The Jalfem is young, seventeen, and physically fit. She is one which Selenad has kept as a domestic slave, well fed and on light work duties to be sure she wasn’t injured or hungry. We see the light go out in her eyes, and Selenad chants the words that bring the new god to him. Tearmain stands beside the Shes hero. They enjoy eating the raw meat from the dead Jalfem. Tearmain prefers the thighs the most. The two dinners never cook the sacrifice and they take their time savoring the feast to our disgust. Selenad slaps the wrist of slave who is reaching to fill Selenad’s mug, and he says to the slave, “Leave it be. Get out of here for now. All of you. Get out!” We view the mad scurry of ten slaves rushing to leave the lavish apartment. The large twenty-feet to a side room, is adorned with rich scenic tapestries on every wall and contains rugs woven from human hair dyed into patterns that are pleasing to Selenad’s taste, horrifying to most of us. When the room contains only Tearmain and Selenad, Selenad casts a ward against eavesdropping so that no one outside can hear what is being said in the chamber, though we are already inside. Tearmain places the stripped-clean of flesh, thigh bone on the table and washes his hands and face in the warm water of the washbasin, then he drys off on the large plush wool towel. The two settle back on their lounge seats and Tearmain says, “I have a plan. I will reveal my plan to your council on my next visit. You must be prepared to be a leader of shes. No hesitation, Selenad.” Selenad laughs as he waves off the comment. He confidently says, “I already lead one-hundred warriors and seventy thieves, with twenty giants and their kin. What else do you want me to command?” We know he’s not prepared for Tearmain’s plans. Tearmain chortles long, and then calming, he says, “Be in the Council on Spring 5, Bear. I’ll let you know then, along with the council. There I will present my commands for you and Shespan.” Observing the two continue their social evening and morning, slowly devouring the sacrificed slave until all that remains are her bones and hair, we fear greatly for humankind. With the rise of Stonewire and Imvor on Winter 22 Pine, Tearmain leaves Selenad’s. Selenad spends three hours sleeping before going to the combat challenge ring and competes in six challenges. He kills twelve combatants before becoming bored and retiring home again with three of his life-companions for a bit of rough dallying. We feel the pain of the females but can not change things for them. Spring 5 Bear The winter was harsh in Shestan, many clans lost Shes and slaves to starvation. Many clans ate their own slaves to survive. Yet, here in the Council Chambers, Selenad is fit and healthy, in prime condition. His stable of slaves still overflows, and he has far fewer challengers among the shes elite now as we watched him eliminate each as they weakened. The council consists of thirteen of the strongest, meanest, most intelligent, and wisest Shes in Shestan society: they have to be in order to survive the demands of being part of the ruling council, to survive against each other. Every one of them bears battle scars. But, Selenad has the least scars and is the healthiest appearing, having the richest clan holding through his terrifying tactics in society. Every one of these shows Selenad respect, though they may not show every other member of council respect. Too many have seen Selenad’s combat prowess and we all see his powers continue to grow. Selenad is no longer merely a local figure, or a local hero. Shes, throughout the country, worship him like a god, and the bastard revels in it, flaunting the attention every second he can. We see his aura growing stronger everyday, brighter. Selenad looks bored, as he looks around the table, he flippantly says, “I think we should bring the god Tearmain here to liven things up. You’re a deadbeat bunch, past your time.” Knowing Tearmain was waiting for a cue, Tearmain, who is human in appearance, now sits beside Selenad. There are no Alaran humans in the shestan council. Under no circumstances are humans of any kind allowed in council chambers. All the other twelve council members rise to their feet, drawing their weapons. All except Selenad. Tearmain rises to his feet and draws his longsword, smiling. He asks in perfect high society shes, “Okay, games first. Who challenges me first?” Two younger Shestan rush Tearmain, expertly feinting and attacking. Tearmain quickly decapitates the first Shestan attacker, and then the other. Looking disappointed, he calls out. “Is there anyone more skilled who is willing to challenge me?” An old bull shes marches forward and attacking with guarded finesse, drawing blood from Tearmain’s sword arm. Tearmain replies by severing off the Shes’ sword arm, then his opposing leg, and following that, he drives his longsword into the shes’ head before the Shes hits the floor. Again, looking disappointed, Tearmain asks, “Come on? Is that your best?” Two shes point to Selenad and motion to him that he should try. Tearmain and Selenad approach each other and shake hands. Then, with arms around each other’s shoulders, Selenad says, “I’m not going to fight my only friend, now, am I?” A groan erupts from the remaining nine living Shes and us, we knew this was coming, we’re feeling sad for the Shes. Tearmain and Selenad take the head seats, and Tearmain says. “Sit down, and we will get this meeting in order. I’m getting hungry and with the food on the floor, I may eat before we get to the agenda. I don’t want to do that. Business first.” The survivors sit in their seats, and then Tearmain starts, “I am capturing the Dominnion of Kannoral to rule it. The Shespan will sub-rule the southwest as they help capture that region. You will have the northeast when you capture there.” We wince as one of the generals shout, “How the gods are we getting that done? We have two gyno-sphinxes and two mountain ranges too cross, to get there.” Tearmain lifts his sword and says, “The Sphinx’s are no issue, and Selenad will form an army and figure out how to get to the Web Ocean and capture it quickly.” The same general dares to say, “The army is my property.” Selenad stands and walks around the table as the sweating general stands unsteady. Both have their weapons in hand. We know what is going to happen and know the general already regrets speaking. Selenad asks, “Who is the army commander?” The general bows, “General Selenad is.” Selenad looks around to the other eight and again asks, “Who is the army commander?” All in unison says, “General Selenad is.” Tearmain stands and asks, “Who rules Shestan?” There is a dead silence for a minute, then Selenad says, “General Selenad!” Followed by nine voices utteri