The Broken Rose

by Jeremy Forsyth

  The Broken Rose

  Title Page

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Epilogue

  The Broken Rose

  Jeremy Forsyth

  Copyright 2017 Jeremy Forsyth

  Cover illustration & Design: Demi Kurten

  Editor: Nikita Clack

  Dedication

  There was a girl who was half Afrikaans and half Indian.

  She and I were one, but not anymore.

  By the Author

  The Sun Moon Sand and Star series

  The Evening Tide

  The Broken Rose

  The Missing.

  “Even by the slightest prick to the heart, deep enough that it would bleed, one would possess enough resolve as a result, to conquer the very world in order to bind up that wound and earn for himself, some relief.”

  Silverus Risingmoon, late bladewatcher of Senistar Underhill the Destroyer

  Prologue

  In the year 4000.AL, the Elder of the Moon Elves; Dayane Lowvilla Lightmarsh I, fell in the Battle of the Nesvalor River, fighting against the invading armies of Gathe. The chronicles would record how “The Elder of Alepion, upon leading the charge of his vanguard, cried out: ‘Brothers! Brothers!’ when seeing half his crescent warriors desert him at the behest of one Phanorrion Bloodsun, who would subsequently be labelled The Betrayer.”

  Dayane’s nine-year-old son would succeed to the throne as Elder Dayane Lowvilla Lightmarsh II and under the command of the new blademaster, Senistar Underhill, would at length drive the Gatheian army from his realm, following them to their island where for over eight years, he wreaked vengeance upon them.

  Dayane would return to Alepion a hero and in the year 4020.AL, would rally his army once more and lead them east to the Middle Islands, which over the centuries have gradually become an extension of the fabled Sun Elf Realm; Kaan Fulas.

  It is now the year 4132.AL and Elder Dayane Lowvilla Lightmarsh II has at last returned home victorious, having claimed the Middle Islands after driving the Sun Elves back to their eternal dwellings, establishing Moon dominance from coast to coast.

  Nearing his Realm, Dayane publishes his desire to commemorate his victory during the Karnaea tournaments, which every year runs in celebration of Liberation Day. However, the Elder has commanded that instead of the Karnaea taking place in the capital city of Lowvilla, it will be the Asher Rise city of Evennal that will host it.

  Chapter 1

  The mouth of the gorge opened wide. Two abounding rivers spewed from its depth like the split tongue of a serpent and I was able to cross both using the ferry. I touched ground and passed through the great shadows that were cast by the two opposing cliffs of the gorge. Looming ahead of both myself and those I had crossed the rivers with, stood the regional capital of Asher Rise, the great city of Evennal.

  Pivoting skywards against the cliff that encircled the shadowy valley, Evennal ensnared my gaze; its high and red burley walls surrounded the city’s focal point - the palatial Greathouse of Evennal.

  That Greathouse; an array of three thick and lofty towers with black dome-like roofs, linked by different levels of apartments and stout halls, zigzagging higher and higher towards the top, was the seat of the Deacon of Asher Rise who governed the region. Admittedly, I had seen it all before and so my initial awe when first confronted by the city’s imposing grandeur, had long ago worn off on me. However, since those around me were enthralled, I found that their preoccupation had me strangely engrossed too.

  I went briskly ahead of my present company so that I might get out of the dainty rain that fell from a grey and gloomy sky and when I saw the amount of people who were lined up before the city gate, I narrowed my gaze, considering for the first time since hearing that the highly anticipated Karnaea would be held in this city, that perhaps I had gravely underestimated the scale of extravagance in which this year’s celebrations was bound to take. It was as if the entire Realm were pouring into the city.

  I found the back of the line and while considering how tall the elvess standing in front me was, I picked up what was being said from the whispering couple behind me, seemingly distressed and struggling to surpress their growing franticness.

  “Did you pack the Salin?” the elvess asked in a low voice, referring to the Realm’s prime religious book, of which the Moon Elves of Alepion stoutly believed was the very Word of the Whispering God.

  Her United-One, a term reserved for one’s spouse of matrimony, said hastily, “Yes I did,” he insisted.” I could hear that they were currently ruffling through their bags, the elvess then adding; “If the sentinels suspect us of being members of the Old Way, they will not allow us into the city!”

  My frown deepened, but it was only when I angled my head around the tall elvess in front of me that I began to understand why the couple had begun fretting; for at the gate of the city, I noticed a good many sentinel guards, the Realm’s law enforces; theirs being the responsibility of maintaining peace and order within the cities and the glades spread out across the Realm.

  Even quieter now, almost as if a warning to her United-One, I heard the elvess remark,

  “I will not have these people around us think that we belong to that cult!”

  The 'cult' that the elvess referred to, was the infamous Old Way; a league of devout worshippers of the old gods, or as they were more commonly known: the Dead Gods. Theirs was a sworn dedication to the reinstating of the old gods, done by waging an eternal war against those who followed the Whispering God, Adonai and as I took a step forward when the line shortened, keeping a casualness that the fretful couple behind me were failing to uphold, my heart began to race as I studied the interactions convening at the gate. The couple’s concerns were becoming mine, for I had nothing but my word to convince the sentinels over there that I was not a member of the Old Way.

  I kept my gaze fixed on the scene ahead. The sentinels were searching the bags of those entering the city and as far as I could see, were putting the people to sharp test to determine where their allegiance of faith was laid.

  “Do these sentinels not know that the city will soon have a blademaster inside?” the remark came from the elvess before me. Just now, I saw her shake her head, decided that there was no time like the present, to initiate a conversation.

  “Perhaps they think the Realm is still at war?”

  The elvess turned to regard me, smiled as awakwardly as most would upon new encounters. She replied wittingly, saying, “Well perhaps when you arrive at the front, you should promptly remind them?”

  I smiled in turn, trying to think of a quick and clever retort. However, all I had was; “They need to believe that I am not part of the Old Way before I can even think to educate them,” slightly unimpressed with my response.

  The tall elvess chuckled, gestured towards the gate. “Well you better prepare your argument soon. These sentinels are becoming ridiculous.”

  I saw why she thought so - already there was a protesting elf being dragged away from the gate.

  “No!” he screamed. “No! I am not of the Old Way! Adonai reigns! No! Get off me!”

  The elf kicked and fought, earning the vexation of his handlers, who showed no leniency when dropping him hard on the floor, one of them slaming a heavy knee down onto the elf’s chest. When the elf raised his hands in capitulation, his handler got up, cast one last sneer upon him before he and his companion turned their backs and headed back towards the gate.
>
  I felt pity for the elf. He was humiliated, afflicted with suspicious implications which I knew, would cling to him if he did not get as far away from the city and the people who had witnessed his disgrace as quickly as possibly. Such was all our fate should the sentinels presume to judge us as they had him.

  “Might be he is part of the Old Way; might be he isn’t,” the tall elvess said now, clearly unimpressed by the scene, adding, “unless those sentinels had some way of knowing for sure, it is wrong what they did.”

  “I agree,” I said.

  The elvess regarded me briefly, saying, “once the Destroyer arrives in Evennal, any Dead God worshipper remaining will flee for the hills.” She faced forward, folding her arms, adding, “Mark my words.”

  The Destroyer whom the elvess had just now mentioned, was Senistar Underhill; Alepion’s only blademaster; an anointed warrior of Adonai the Whispering God, theirs being perhaps a more exalted position than even the Elder, for they were the Third Sign of Adonai; which according to the Salin scriptures, was the physical evidence of the Whispering God’s favour over the Moon Elf people. In addition, the Blademasters were also regarded as the Realm’s most elite warriors.

  “Do you think that elf was part of the Old Way?” asked the tall elvess now.

  I shrugged. “There is no way to know,” I said, coming face to face yet again with my own growing anxiety to stand before the sentinels.

  What if they do not believe me? What was I to do then?

  An inquisitive elf standing in front of the tall elvess suddenly turned, looked at us with speculative eyes.

  “Would Adonai allow something like that to happen to one of his own?” the elf challenged, quite obnoxiously.

  That he looked a hard elf was my first thought. Solemn, my second. But neither I nor the tall elvess answered him. Instead, the tall elvess drew back, edging closer to me so bluntly that I couldn’t help the grin that formed on my face in light of her audacity and when the elf faced forward again, the tall elvess leaned in close, whispered,

  “From the Nunes, I would wager.”

  I sniggered, trying to conceal it by covering my mouth with my hand. “Probably,” I managed with effort.

  “He must be from the Nunes,” the elvess decided, her tone telling me now that she was in no mood to jest. “Elves that side of the river are self-righteous fools. Would it not occur to him that those sentinels were acting out of assumption, or perhaps paranoia?” She shook her head. “It’s been over a century since the War of the Dead Gods, but none alive in the Realm has yet to forget. Until the Destroyer arrives in the city, people inside will be fretting over how many people are pouring in.”

  I looked towards the gate, appreciating her logic but feeling more in the mood for a light-hearted interaction than a serious one.

  “Or maybe the elf wasn’t an Old Way member after all? Maybe he was from the Nunes and so the sentinels needed a reason to keep him from entering?”

  The elvess turned her heard around fast and chuckled. “And would you blame them?” she said, eyes darting to the prying elf behind her.

  Once more, I tried concealing my laugh with my hand and when I recovered, I noticed that the tall elvess was looking at me in a new light.

  “My name is Alardia,” she said.

  Smiling, I told her my name. “Stasanda.”

  “Nice to meet you, Stasanda.”

  “Nice to meet you too,” I replied, feeling myself growing quite comfortable with her already. It was her green eyes. They were full of mischief - which I realized appealed to my sense of adventure.

  “Where are you coming from?” Alardia asked me.

  “From the Borderland Forests,” I said.“I went travelling south.”

  “You’re travelling?” she gasped, eyes suddenly growing wide.

  I nodded. “I am,” I answered proudly.

  Alardia grabbed my hands, jerking me forward.“I am travelling as well!” She exclaimed, a bit too loud we both reckoned, for we hunched down again into a huddle to continue talking in whispers.

  “I have always wanted to travel and see the Realm,” Alardia continued. “But with the Wars of the Dead Gods and the Gatheian Invasion that followed afterwards, it has been impossible. As soon as it was perceived to be safe, I left immediately.”

  “Where did you go first?”

  Alardia scoffed at me. “Tannis Ban, of course! I am from the Trails and up there, there is no better city to visit.”

  I sighed, dropping my shoulders. “I have always wanted to visit Tannis Ban,” I said, wistfully.

  “You have to see it! It is beautiful!”

  A cheeky smile now wrought my expression. “I hear the elves and elvesses there are beautiful?”

  Alardia nodded. “Indeed. I felt like a creature among them,” she jested, adding,“all are so tanned.” She frowned at me. “Like you,” she said, as if only in this moment noticing my complexion. “You didn’t grow up in a forest as well, I see?”

  “No. But keep going. Tell me of the Tannis-elves.”

  Alardia was happy to oblige. “The elves are all built as if they were trained to be blademasters. The elvesses are elegant yet care-free, most having golden hair. Very friendly. But it gets better; there are ships that you can go on and for days and days - you sail far out to sea. Every night there is feasting and music, and during the day: cage-diving!”

  I frowned. “Cage-diving?”

  Alardia’s eyes went wide. “Yes! It is a new thing. You get inside a cage that is fastened with a thick rope to the ship. There is what they call a snorkel, which is a long pipe that allows you to breathe under water. You are also given eye-cloaks to allow you to see the different fish.”

  “Did you do it?” I asked, completely amazed.

  “Of course! It was the most fun I have had in my entire life! After the Karnaea, you and I should head back to the Trails and enter Tannis Ban so that I can show you what all the fuss is about!”

  The length of the line grew shorter at a snail’s pace, but so fascinating were our discussions that it didn’t feel long at all until the gate of the city loomed over the both of us, our talk abruptly coming to an end as we took in the height of the red bricked walls and the sodden Alepion banners hanging limp at the pinnacles.

  “Where will you be staying during the Karnaea?” Alardia asked me.

  My reply was not immediate, for my attention at that moment was locked on the sentinels searching the bags of those in front of us. My heart thumped wildly to the point where I started feeling nauseous.

  “Stasanda?”

  I looked at my new friend and feigned a smile. “Sorry. Um, I do not know where I am to stay,” I said.

  “Good. The Landa Inn it is. You and I can book together. I hear it is the most affordable in the city, which is saying a lot, for you can bet your moons that because of the Karnaea, prices have flown up to the sky.”

  I couldn’t reply. All I could focus on were the sentinels. They had their silver helms shadowing their faces and so it was hard not to feel intimidated by their inscrutable expressions and formal conduct towards those they questioned.

  When Alardia stepped before the sentinels, she turned to me and smiled without fear. “See you on the other side.”

  I smiled back but did not say a word, for in that moment, I couldn’t; such was my sense of foreboding. But when I saw how easily Alardia was permitted into the city, all by stating once that she was a believer in the Whispering God, I decided that my fears were unwarranted and so when it was my turn, I stepped forward boldly and while one of the sentinels took my bag, another addressed me.

  “Fair day, my lady,” he greeted formally.

  “Fair day, Sentinel,” I said, invoking my sweetest tone.

  “Travelling alone?”

  I nodded. “I am.”

  “will you be pleased to see the Elder once he arrives in the city?”

  “Very much so, sentinel,” I said.

  The sentinel nodded. “And do you profe
ss Adonai the Whispering God as the one and only God of the elves and all the world?”

  “I do, sentinel.”

  The sentinel didn’t reply. He just waited, almost as if he were expecting one of us to speak but eventually nodded when my bag was handed back to me, gesturing for me to enter the city.

  Relieved, I took a step forward but was stopped by the command of someone to my right. When I turned, I saw a sophisticated elf appear from the side. He approached me. He had long grey hair that parted around his face and in his hard gaze, I saw something that made me shudder.

  “Not her,” the elf said.

  My heart contracted, my throat dried up in an instant. I felt as if the entire world had just shaken beneath my feet.

  “What?” I managed, before one of the sentinels grabbed me by the arm. “No!” I said, unable to fully fathom what was happening, while at the same time, becoming all too aware of the stares of those in the line behind me.

  “No… I…”

  “Get her away from here,” ordered the sophisticated elf, firmly.

  “No please, I do not follow the Dead Gods. Adonai is ---

  “The one true God, yes I know,” the elf said, coming right up to me and looking at me with a searching gaze.“But you, my lady, I will not let enter. Get far away from here. Do it and it will go well for you.” The elf gave a peremptory gesture to the sentinel, who started pulling me away from the city.

  Through my tears, I vaguely noticed those still in the line; their faces blurred but their stares of shock were undeniable, as was their judgement and pity and like it had been for the unfortunate elf before me, their stares followed me until I was dropped onto the wet floor.

  “Please!” I pleaded, stretching out my hands to the sentinel. He ignored me, as did everyone else.

  Chapter 2