A Magic of Dawn nc-3

by S L Farrell

  Jan had laughed at that revelation-another sham, another show.

  Jan ascended the dais, A’Teni ca’Beranger giving him the sign of Cenzi as he passed. On reaching the throne, he turned to face the crowd. They were watching him, all of them.

  He sat. The crystal around him erupted with brilliant yellow light, seeming to emerge from the hidden depths of the throne. Kraljiki Jan sat, bathed in that light, as the audience rose in thunderous applause.

  “I’ll always wonder what the Holdings might have been had you lived,” Sergei said to the portrait of Kraljica Marguerite. “I’d love to know what you think of things now.”

  The wine he’d had was making his head spin a bit. Downstairs, in the palais, the celebration for the new Kraljiki was still going on while, outside, the embers of Allesandra’s pyre glowed red in the night. Sergei had slipped away from the festivities via the servants’ corridors to come up here-to the chambers that had been Allesandra’s and which were now Jan’s. A goblet of wine still in his hand, he raised it to Marguerite’s portrait as he lounged in a chair. A small fire-set to take away the evening chill-crackled in the hearth below the portrait, the fire and the candles lit to either side giving a wavering illumination that lent animation to Marguerite’s painted, stern face. He could imagine her stirring, opening her mouth to talk to him…

  It was an unnerving sensation, bringing back memories of Audric and his madness.

  Sergei took a long sip of the wine and, with his free hand, reached into a pocket of his bashta. He retrieved a smooth, pale pebble. He rubbed its polished surface between his fingers. Wine sloshed over the rim of his glass with the motion and threw bloody droplets on his bashta. He didn’t care.

  “Marguerite, we both loved this city and this empire so much that we were willing to do anything for her. Anything at all. I wonder.. . Did she love us back for our passion and our faith? Did she care? Did you sometimes regret your life the way I do? Hmm… Somehow, knowing you, I doubt it. You were always so sure of yourself.” He lifted the goblet to her in salute, then brought it to his mouth and tilted it, draining the wine in a long gulp. He set the goblet down on the table next to him and reached for his new cane, lifting himself from the chair with a grunt and a moan. “You’ll have a new relative to stare at tonight,” he told Marguerite. “Let’s hope he’s a good one, as strong as you were.”

  He realized he was still holding the stone. He held it up to his ear. “I don’t hear anyone,” he said. He tapped the stone on his nose, listening to the ring of stone on metal. He laughed, weaving slightly as he stood there, and placed the stone back in his pocket. “What becomes of us when we’re gone?” he asked the painting. “Does Cenzi really wait there to judge us? I’d appreciate a sign, Marguerite. I really would.”

  The painting stared at him in the firelight. Marguerite’s painted gaze refused to let him go. Finally, Sergei rubbed at his nose and sniffed. “No answer, eh?” he said. “You always did keep your secrets. Well, I suppose I’ll find out soon enough.”

  He bowed to the painting, nearly falling as he did so. He patted the stone in his pocket. He left the room, leaving the goblet on the table, and, stumbling, made his way down the back stairs again. As he reached the servants’ corridor nearest the Hall of the Sun Throne, he could hear the noise of the revelers, still chattering. He went in the other direction, making his way out into the garden. The cool night air seemed to clear his mind. He could smell the odor of ash and woodfire-far out in the gardens, servants were raking and spreading the coals of the pyre. He shook his head, rubbed at his stubbled cheeks. He walked around the side of the palais toward the Avi a’Parete, still crowded with pedestrians and carriages even this late. Across the Pontica a’Brezi Veste, he could see the tower and walls of the Bastida.

  He took a long breath. The tower was dark against the moonlit clouds, and a small light glistened in one of the upper windows, seeming to beckon to him. Sergei’s hand, in the pocket of his bashta, touched again the pebble of the White Stone.

  He sighed, and he began walking the other way.

  Epilogue: Nessantico

  A NOTHER KRALJIKI SAT on the Sun Throne, bathed in its golden light-yet another relative of the great Kraljica Marguerite. The Holdings were unified once again, with the new Kraljiki also holding the title of Hirzg of Firenzcia. A new Archigos sat on the throne in the Archigos’ Temple, where Archigi had sat for centuries, but this was an altered Faith and a weakened Faith, and many who walked Nessantico’s streets were no longer believers.

  In the far west, across the Strettosei, there was a new Tecuhtli, with a young Nahual beside him.

  A child who had become a powerful young man had become little more than a child again. And the White Stone had vanished once more, perhaps to return or perhaps gone to oblivion entirely.

  Nessantico-the city, the woman-didn’t care. Such movements didn’t trouble her. The story was not done. There would be more strife, more conflicts. Thrones would pass. Victory and defeat, the rival twins of war, would contend against each other with new players.

  She didn’t care. The story was not done because the story never ends. It could not.

  The people moving in her streets had been born and would die to be replaced by others. The Sun Throne would feel the weight of dozens of future Kralji yet unborn, and they would be good leaders or bad, but in time they would all-no matter how good, no matter how bad-eventually pass from the long, endless tale.

  But she never would. She had been in the tale from the beginning. The tale was hers, and it would not end until she ended, and she…

  She was deathless.

  Her fortunes had risen again. From a shattered kingdom, a new and stronger one would arise. The face that the A’Sele reflected back to her would change. Perhaps even one day the line of the Kralji itself would vanish. Perhaps.

  But not her. Never her.

  She would continue. Nessantico would stride into that long future: living, breathing, eternal, the central character of the land’s story. Her face would be rewritten, her old lines stripped away to be replaced by new ones. She would age; she would be renewed, again and again.

  The tale would not end.

  That tale could not end until she herself was gone.

  And that, she told herself, could never happen.

  APPENDICES

  PRIMARY VIEWPOINT CHARACTERS

  (alphabetical order by rank, then family name):

  Varina ca’Pallo [Vah-REE-nah Kah-PAHL-low] A’Morce (Head) of the Numetodo, and member of the Council of Ca‘. Wife of Karl ca’Pallo.

  Sergei ca’Rudka [SARE-zhay Kah-ROOD-kah] Advisor to Allesandra and Ambassador to Frirenzcia.

  Allesandra ca’Vorl [Ahl-ah-SAHN-drah Kah-VOORL] Kraljica of Nessantico; Jan ca’Ostheim’s matarh.

  Brie ca’Ostheim [Bree Kah-OHST-hime] Jan’s wife and Hirzgin of Firenzcia

  Jan ca’Ostheim [Yahn Kah-OHST-hime] (nee ca’Vorl) Hirzg of Firenzcia, son of Allesandra.

  Nico Morel [NEE-koh Mohr-ELL] A former teni, now defrocked and the charismatic leader of a fundamentalist movement.

  Rochelle Botelli [Row-SHELL Bott-TAHL-lee] The half-sister of Nico Morel, operating as the “White Stone,” an assassin-for-hire.

  Niente [Nee-EHN-tay] The Nahual (chief spellcaster) of the Westlanders.

  SUPPORTING CAST

  (alphabetical order by rank, then family name):

  The Ca’:

  Karrol ca’Asano [CARE-ohl Kah-ahh-SAH-noh] The Archigos in Brezno.

  Valerie ca’Beranger [VALL-err-ee Kah-BEHR-enn-jer] The A’Teni of Prajnoli.

  Audric ca’Dakwi [AHD-ric Kah-DAWK-whee] Kraljiki from 544-548.

  Simon ca’Dakwi [See-MOHN Kah-DAWK-whee] member of the Council of Ca’.

  Armen ca’Damont [AHR-mehn Kah-DAH-mon] Starkkapitan of the Firenzcian Garde Civile.

  Anais ca’Gerodi [Ahn-ahh-EES Kah-ger-OH-dee] Member of the Council of Ca’.

  Edouard ca’Matin [EDD-ooh-ard Kah-Mah-TEEN] Member of the Council of C
a’

  Karl ca’Pallo [Karhl K- PAHL-low] (nee ca’Vliomani) A’morce, head of the Numetodo in Nessantico; husband of Varina.

  Caelor ca’Ostheim [KAY-lohr Kah-OHST-hime] Third child (son) of Jan and Brie, age 8.

  Elissa ca’Ostheim [Eh-LISS-ah Kah-OHST-hime] Jan and Brie’s firstborn, a daughter, now 11.

  Eria ca’Ostheim [EHR-ree-ah Kah-OHST-hime] Youngest child and daughter of Jan and Brie, age 3.

  Jan ca’Ostheim [Yahn Kah-OHST-hime] Second child (son) of Jan and Brie, age 9. He is usually referred to as “Kriege” rather than Jan.

  Soleil ca’Paim [Soh-LAY Kah-PAYM] A’Teni of Nessantico.

  Jager ca’Schisler [YAY-ger Kah-SIS-lehr] Ambassador of the Coalition to the Holdings in Nessantico.

  Ana ca’Seranta [AHN-ah Kah-sir-AHN-tah] Former Archigos of Nessantico

  Henri ca’Sibelli [AHN-ree Kah-Sah-BEHL-lee] Member of the Council of Ca’.

  Eleric ca’Talin [EHL-eh-ric Kah-TAHL-inn] Commandant of the Garde Civile in Nessantico.

  Erik ca’Vikej [AIR-ick Kah-VEE-kahg] Claimant to the throne of West Magyaria, and suitor to Allesandra.

  Stor ca’Vikej [STOHR Kah-VEE-kahg] Vatarh of Erik and self-proclaimed Gyula of West Magyaria, killed in the War of Union (561-562).

  The Cu’:

  Eris cu’Bloch [AIR-ess Koo-BLOCK] Commandant of the Garde Brezno.

  Cu’Brunelli [Koo-Broon-ELL-ee] A famous architect in the Holdings, responsible for the design of the great dome of the Old Temple.

  Talo cu’Ingres [TAH-low Koo-AHNG] Commandant of the Garde Kralji in Nessantico.

  Josef cu’Kella [YOH-seff Koo-KEHL-lah] An ambitious businessman in Brezno who hires the White Stone.

  Mavel cu’Kella [Mah-vehl-ah Koo-KEHL-lah] Daughter of Josef cu’Kella, mistress of Hirzg Jan.

  Colin cu’Mullin [KOHL-inn Koo-MUHL-linn] Son of Karl ca’Pallo (nee ca’Vliomani), living on the Isle of Paeti.

  Armond cu’Weller [ARRH-mohnd Koo-WEHL-lerr] A chevaritt and a’offizier in the Firenzcian Garde Civile.

  The Ci’:

  Aaros ci’Bella [AHR-roos Kee-BEHL-lah] A suspected spy held in the Bastida.

  Sinclair ci’Braun [Sin-CLAHR Kee-BRAWN] A goltschlager (maker of gold foil) in Brezno.

  Rance ci’Lawli [Rahns Kee-LAWH-lee] Chief secretary and aide for Hirzg Jan in Brezno.

  Talbot ci’Noel [TAHL-bott Kee-no-ELL] Allesandra’s chief aide.

  Edouard ci’Recroix [EDD-ward Kee-reh-KROI] A famous artist.

  Pierre ci’Santiago [Pee-AIR Kee-Sahn-tee-AHH-goh] An a’offizier in the Garde Kralji.

  Paulus ci’Simone [PAHL-us Kee-See-MOHN] Rance ci’Lawli’s assistant.

  Timos ci’Stani [TEE-mohs Kee-STAH-nee] A war-teni and Morelli sympathizer.

  The Ce’:

  Johannes ce’Agrippa [Yoh-HAHN-ess Keh-Ahh-GREEP-ahh] A Numetodo magician.

  Ancel ce’Breton [ANN-cehl Keh-Breh-TAHN] A follower of Nico Morel.

  Leovic ce’Darci [LEE-oh-vik Keh-DARR-cee] A Numetodo architect and engineer.

  Ari ce’Denis [AIR-ee Keh-DEHN-nees] Capitaine of the Bastida a’Drago in Nessantico.

  Mason ce’Fieur [MAY-sohn Keh-FEARH] A Numetodo.

  Belle ce’Josse [Bel Keh-JOSS-eh] A young Numetodo.

  Liana ce’Kein [Lee-AHN-ah Keh-KINE] A follower of Nico Morel, and his lover.

  Ari ce’Miella [AHH-ree Keh-Me-ELL-ahh] A famous composer of the time.

  Henri ce’Mott [AHN-ree Keh-MOHT] A gilder in Brezno.

  Martin ce’Mollis [MAHR-tinn Keh-MOHL-liss] A fisherman from Karnmor.

  Niels ce’Sedgwick [NEELS Keh-SEDGH-wick] A Numetodo geologist.

  Emerin ce’Stego [EMM-air-inn Keh-STEH-goh] A member of the Garde Brezno, stationed in Brezno Palais. Also the lover of Rochelle Botelli.

  The Unranked:

  Elle Botelli [ELL-ahh Boe-TELL-ee] The original White Stone, the matarh of Rochelle Botelli and the “stepmatarh” of Nico Morel. Also used the name Elissa ca’Karina, and “Elle Botelli” may or may not be her real name.

  Pierre Gabrelli [Pee-AIR Gah-BRELL-ee] An artisan and craftsman with the Numetodo.

  Serafina Morel [Sair-ah-FEEN-ah more-ELL] Matarh of Nico Morel.

  Serafina Morel [Sair-ah-FEEN-ah more-ELL] Daughter of Nico Morel and Liana ce’Kein.

  Albertus Paracel [Al-BERT-us PAIR-ah-sell] A Numetodo scribe and librarian.

  Nicolau Petros [NEE-koh-low PET-rohs] A Numetodo astronomer.

  Talis Posti [TAWL-iss POHS-tee] Vatarh of Nico Morel, a Tehuantin.

  Atl [AH-tull] Son of Niente and Xaria.

  Citlali [See-TAHL-lee] The Tecuhtli (warrior-king) of the Tehuantin.

  Darkmavis [Dark-MAY-viss] A well-known composer.

  Tototl [Toe-TOE-tull] High Warrior of the Tehuantin, second to Tecuhtli Citlali.

  Xaria [SAHR-ee-ahh] Wife of Niente.

  DICTIONARY:

  A’Morce [Ah-MORS] A generic title meaning “head” or “leader.” See also “Tete.”

  A’Sele [Ah-SEEL] The river that divides the city of Nessantico.

  Acal A small Tehuantin watercraft like a canoe.

  Archigos [ARR-chee-ghos] The leader of the Concenzia Faith. The plural is “Archigi.”

  Avi a’Parete [Ahh-VEE Ah-pah-REET] The wide boulevard that forms a circle within the city of Nessantico, and also serves as a focus for city events.

  Axat [Ahh-SKIAT] The moon-god of the Tehuantin people.

  Bashta [BAASH-tah] A one-piece blouse and pants, usually tied with a wide belt around the waist, and generally loose and flowing elsewhere. Bashtas are generally worn by males, though there are female versions, and can be either plain or extravagantly ornate, depending on the person’s status and the situation.

  Bastida a’Drago [Bahs-TEE-dah Ah-DRAH-goh] The “Fortress of the Dragon,” an ancient tower that now serves as a state prison for Nessantico. Originally built by Kraljiki Selida II.

  Besteigung [BEHZ-tee-gung] “Ascension” The ceremony where a new Hirzg or Hirzgin of Firenzcia is officially recognized after the prescribed mourning period for the previous ruler.

  “Ca’-and-cu’” [Kaw-and-Koo] The term for the high status families in the Holdings. The rich. See: Family Names.

  Cabasab [KAW-bah-sahn] The title of the ruler of Daritria.

  Calli The Tehuantin term for “house.”

  The “Calls” In the Concenzia Faith, there are Three Calls during the day for prayer. First Call is in the morning, when the sun has risen above the horizon the distance of a fist held at arm’s length. Second Call is when the sun is at zenith. Third Call is when the sun is a fist’s length above the horizon at sunset.

  Calpulli Tehuantin word for “neighborhood,” the subdivisions of their cities.

  Cenzi [SHEN-zee] Main god of the Nessantico pantheon, and the patron of the Concenzia Faith.

  Chevaritt [Sheh-vah-REE], Chevarittai [Sheh-vah-REE-tie] The “knights” of Nessantico-men of the ca’-and-cu’ families. The title of “chevaritt” is bestowed by the Kraljiki or Kraljica, or by the appointed ruler of the various countries within the Holding; in times of genuine war, the chevarittai (the plural form of the word) are called upon to prove their loyalty and courage. The chevarittai will follow (usually) the orders of the Commandant of the Garde Civile, but not particularly those of the common offiziers of the Garde Civile. Their internal status is largely based on familial rank. In the past, occasional conflicts have been decided by honorable battle between chevarittai while the armies watched.

  Coinage There are three primary coinages in use in Nessantico: the bronze “folia” in tenth (d’folia), half (se’folia), and full (folia) denominations; the silver “siqil” in half (se’siqil) and full denominations; the gold “sola” in half (se’sola) and full denominations. Twenty folias equal a se’siqil; fifty siqils (or two thousand folias) equal a se’sola. The daily wage for a simple laborer is generally around a folia; a competent craftsperson might command four or five folias a day or a se’siqil a week. The price (and size) of a loaf of
common brown bread in Nessantico is fixed at a d’folia.

  Colors Each of the various countries within the Holdings retained their colors and flags. Here are the basic banner structures: East Magyaria: horizontal stripes of red, green, and orange; Firenzcia: alternating vertical stripes of black and silver; Graubundi: a field of yellow with black stars; Hellin: red and black fields divided diagonally; Il Trebbio: a yellow sun on a blue field; Namarro: a red crescent moon on a field of yellow; Nessantico: blue and gold fields divided diagonally. Used by both North and South Nessantico. Miscoli: a single white star on a field of midnight blue; Paeti: vertical stripes of green, white, and orange; Sesemora: a field of silver with a mailed fist in the center; Sforzia: a field of white with a diagonal blue bar; West Magyaria: horizontal stripes of orange, red, and blue

  Comte [KOM-tay] The head of a town or city, usually a ca’ and a chevaritt

  Concenzia [Kon-SEHN-zee-ah] The primary theology within Nessantico, whose primary deity is Cenzi, though Cenzi is simply the chief god of a pantheon.

  Concord A’Teni The gathering of all a’Teni within Concenzia-a Concord A’Teni is called to elect a new Archigos or to make changes to the Divolonte.

  Cornett A straight wind instrument made of wood or brass, and played like a trumpet.

  Council of Ca’ The advisory council for the Kralji of the Holdings. Usually consists of five members. The Council of Ca’ will sometimes serve as the quasi-official governing body of the Holdings if the current Kraljica or Kraljiki is underage, incapacitated, or absent.

  Days of the Week The six days of the week in Nessantico are named after major deities in the Toustour. The week begins with Cenzidi (Cenzi’s Day), and follows with Vuctadi, Mizzkdi, Gostidi, Draiordi, and Parladi

  Divolonte [Dee-voh-LOHN-tay] “God’s Will”-the rules and regulations that make up the tenets followed by those of the Concenzia Faith.

  Domestiques de chambre “Chamber servants,” the servants whose task it is to attend to the Kraljiki or Kraljica in their bedchamber. Only highly trusted servants are given this assignment.