Stars and Graves

by Roberto Calas

Every end heralds a beginning.

  —Elendyl Bask, Warrior Poet

  Lokk Lurius guided them out of Maug Maurai. Aramaesia had stitched four new wounds in his belly, and had bandaged the head-gash that had knocked him unconscious. He carried his broken left arm against his chest. Aramaesia had slung it using fabric from the packs of friends who would never leave Maurai. She’d done what she could for his broken ribs, and the other wounds that he’d taken. Despite his injuries, he still managed to dig most of the graves.

  Grae, Hammer, Sage, Shanks, and Drissdie were buried just outside of CWNCR. And when the cairns were finished, Lokk, Lord Aeren, Ulrean and Aramaesia gripped shoulders, nodded their heads, and spoke the Soldiers’ Farewell. None of them were officially soldiers, but someone had to send the dead men off.

  Lokk found a letter in Beldrun Shank’s belt pouch, sealed with an impression of Grae Barragns’s ring. Aramaesia took the letter from him and tossed it into the fire without opening it. Lokk stared at her and she shrugged. “We must keep the fire going.”

  They gave Meedryk more dreamlily from Hammer’s mend kit and fashioned a litter for him out of branches and tabards.

  “We should find the road again,” Aramaesia suggested. “We can follow it to the Maeris village.”

  Lokk shook his head. “South. That’s the fastest way out of the forest. We’ll wander lost for days finding that road.”

  “We might not tell what south is when we leave this clearing,” Aramaesia replied. “We could circle endlessly. The road stretches all the way to the north and the south. We are sure to find it.”

  “If we can tell which way is west,” Lokk replied. “We go south. We’re bound to—”

  “No,” Ulrean said quietly.

  The archer and the Eridian looked at the child.

  “We shall go west,” he said. “But not to the Maurian Road.” He remembered Brig Barragns’s words. Even an eight-year-old could deduce who it was that wanted him dead. “While we are in Nuldryn, we are in danger. We should continue west, past the road and slip out of the forest, at night.”

  Ulrean’s graceful persistence convinced Lokk and Aramaesia that he was in danger. Aramaesia understood that Grae Barragns had conveyed this to him in some way. She found that she did not want to know how and Ulrean never offered.

  So they walked westward, toward the Maurian Road and found it on the third day. They paused there on the overgrown road, staring wistfully toward the south, then Lokk Lurius led them across it and back into the forest.

  Ulrean had grown stronger with each day. By the time they reached the Maurian Road, Aramaesia could no longer tell where his wounds had been. The boy was silent for most of the journey. He had woken, crying, the first night and Aramaesia had patted his back, but had not embraced him.

  “No more crying,” she had said. It had felt callous to her, but she knew Lokk was right. If the boy had enemies, then he would have to be stronger than them.

  Aeren was able to open his eyes after the second day, and could talk sparingly on the third morning. A bandage covered the wound upon his cheek. It would scar. An inescapable reminder of Maug Maurai. He spent every spare moment documenting what had happened on the journey, noting it down in his wax slates. He took special care with the Beast, jotting everything he could remember.

  They broke from the forest on the fourth night. The torchlights and lanterns of Dryne glimmering in the distance. It was strange to look upon the unforested land.

  Lokk knelt beside Ulrean. “We’ll take you as far as Maulden. We travel quickly as we can. Avoiding roads and towns.” He fished in a pouch and counted the fifteen drakes and ten hawks he had taken from Grae Barragns’s body. “I can get us horses at Maul Lawry. We’ll reach Daehar in four days if we’re quick.

  Ulrean thought for a time, then shook his head. “No. I know we have talked about this, but I do not think that is wise.” He looked wistful. “Black Murrogar told me I needed to sort out bog iron from steel.” He studied the three others with him. “You three are steel. Of that I am certain. I’m not certain who my friends are in Maulden.” He looked to Aramaesia.

  The archer nodded. “I know where we can go.”

  “Fucking arse nipples,” Lokk muttered. “Another forest.” The Eridian let out a long breath. “South it is.”

  He nodded to the three companions and strode out of the shadows of Maug Maurai. The others took one last look into the forest, then followed. It had been a long journey. And they had a longer one ahead of them.

  The End

  Glossary of Terms

  Aerys Laray: A Galadane priestess whose quiet protest against the Galadane Empire led to the twelve year War of Despair, a war which led to the signing of the Lalyrian Charter and the granting of lands to Laraytia. Aerys Laray led thousands south into lands which would become Laraytia and became the first queen of the new kingdom. Also known as Stainless Laray.

  Andraens: A civilization conquered by the Laray.

  Annecia: An empire in the southwest of Celusia.

  Arms, The: The second sacred tome of Lojenwyne

  Arryn: A duchy in the mid-west of Laraytia.

  Barony: A fief owned by a solitary liege lord. The lord, under the Laraytian Unification Proclamation, does not answer to the nobles of the duchy where the barony resides, but must pay taxes to the Duke.

  Barrestian Revolt: A revolution in Laraytia in which House Darmurian and its allies warred against the king. The rebel armies won the war and the Darmurian family replaced the House Laray as the ruling family of Laraytia.

  Bell: An hour’s time. Derived from the tolling of church bells every hour.

  Black Spinster: Andraen personification of death.

  Blythhallow: A monastery devoted to Blythwynn.

  Blythlojean: The religion of Laraytia. Its basic doctrine revolves around forgiveness and justice, and its two deities are Blythwynn and Lojenwyne. The two gods watch over Celusia, Blythwynn by night, Lojenwyne by day.

  Blythwynn: One of two deities in the Blythlojean religion. She is the Mother of Life, the Lady of Forgiveness and the Lady of Light. She is always tolerant of, but at odds with, Lojenwyne, God of Justice, Death and War.

  Blythwynn's Eye: The moon. Blythlojeans believe that Blythwynn watches Celusia in the darkness, when her followers need her most.

  Brasomeurs: Massive lizards used in Annecia as mounts. Sometimes used as guardians.

  Brig: The third air rank in the Laraytian Standards. When an officer achieves Brig-Down, he is considered to be a trudge again and sent into the earth ranks to live as an enlisted man for one year. This allows them to understand their men better before being promoted to underlord.

  Brig-Down: The third air rank in the Laraytian Standards. When an officer achieves Brig-Down, he is considered to be a trudge again and sent into the earth ranks to live as an enlisted man for one year. This allows them to understand their men better before being promoted to underlord.

  Chantress: An assistant to the High Chime of a Moonhaven.

  Chemics: Materials needed by a magician to cast spells. See also, Integrants.

  Chime: A priestess of Blythwynn.

  Cinder: A disciple of Lojenwyne who lives at a Lojenhall.

  Clergist: An assistant to the Enforcer at a Lojenfirth.

  Cydoen: A town in the Green Mountains loyal to Gracidmar. The entire population was massacred by Laraytian Standards and the town burned to ashes.

  Daeryn: Andraen word for someone who is not a soldier.

  Dark Place, The: An abyss that men and women go to after death if they have not lived good lives.

  Darmurian, House: The royal family of Laraytia. The Darmurians conquered the Kingdom from the Larays, who founded Laraytia.

  Darmurian, Tharandyr: King of Laraytia. The second king in the Darmurian line.

  Daun: Andraen word for castle.

  Dromese: From the kingdom of Dromic.

  Durrenia: Lands west of Laraytia, east of the freelands, and south of Havvara. Durrenia is
populated by hundreds of warring tribes.

  Egyn Thoel: An important fortress on the eastern edge of Laray Duchy that guards a pass from the kingdom of Laraytia into the kingdom of Gracidmar.

  Eleyria: The place where Blythlojeans believe their spirit goes after they die. Those who follow Blythwynn join her in a land of bliss. Those that follow Lojenwyne go to his Hall to feast and to give assistance to all Laraytian warriors on the battlefields of Celusia. Anyone in Eleyria may visit either domain for as long as they wish.

  Embrya: One of three original regions in the Kingdom of Galadance.

  Endeavours, The: The first sacred tome of Lojenwyne.

  Enforcer: A priest of Lojenwyne.

  Eridia: A kingdom in the southeast of Celusia.

  Faur Folly: The greatest military disaster in Laraytian history. Durrenian war tribes broke through the gates at Maugna Faur and invaded Laraytia in Lae Duerna duchy. Tens of thousands of Laraytians were killed and it took half a year to reclaim Maugna Faur and drive the Durrenians back.

  Godsmarking: A Laraytian curse.

  Gracidmar: A kingdom to the east of Laraytia.

  Hammer: The highest earth rank in the Laraytian Standards.

  High Chime: The ranking priestess of Blythwynn at a Moonhallow or Holy Unity Temple.

  Holy Receiver of Light: The highest ranking member of Blythwynn's hierarchy on Celusia and the sixth most powerful title in Laraytia. Tradition requires anyone speaking her name to follow it with, “May the Light Shine Always Upon Her Face.”

  Hrethric: A kingdom in the Northeast of Celusia.

  Immortal: A man or woman who has been posthumously designated as one of Blythwynn's greatest disciples. They are said to ascend to the night skies and hold lanterns for Blythwynn.

  Integrants: Materials needed by a magician to cast spells.

  Ja’Drei: One of several gods in Gracidmar. Her name means fire-born and her disciples believe in humility and kindness above all.

  Janes: Derogatory name given by Standards to janissary soldier.

  Janissaries: Provincial soldiers usually serving a Duchy or a shire. Many are soldiers from only part of the year and hold regular occupations in their shire.

  Knight Protector: A title given to a knight who has proven himself exceptionally brave and skillful. Each Duchy has two Knight Protectors, except Laray, which has three. Knight Protectors are supplied with a unit of fifty men or more and are charged with protecting a territory in whatever way they see fit, for a five-year period.

  Lae Duerna: A Duchy in the North of Laraytia. Currently ruled by the House Cobblethrie.

  Lalyrian Charter: A charter, signed by the King Dolnei, of Galadance, that gave freedom to the kingdom of Laraytia and established it as an independent colony of the Galadane Empire, so long as the army of Laraytia kept the Durrenian hordes from invading Galadance.

  Landscrubber: Peasants who farm and work the lands of Laraytia.

  Laray, House: The founding family of Laraytia. They were defeated by the Darmurian family in the Barrestian Rebellion and most family members were scattered or killed.

  Laraytian Standards: The King's army of Laraytia. Well-trained, professional soldiers. Each duchy is required to give men to the Laryatian Standards each year. Standards answer only to the king or the marquesses of Laraytia.

  Laraytia: A colony of the Galadane Empire. Tasked through the Lalyrian Charter to keep the Durrenian barbarians from crossing the Warts of Mundaaith (Durrenian) mountain range.

  Lojenfirth: A church devoted to Lojenwyne

  Lojenhall: A monastery devoted to Lojenwyne.

  Lojenwyne: One of two deities in the Blythlojean religion. He is the Father of Justice, the Lord of War, and the Bringer of Death. Scholars believe he is derived from the hero Dendalur, who is the guardian of Blythwynn in the Blythian religion of Galadance.

  Lojenwyne's Eye: The sun. Blythlojeans believe that Lojenwyne watches over Celusia in the daytime, banishing the darkness so that thieves and cowards cannot hide.

  Margils: A civilization conquered by the Andraens.

  Marquess: The King's military commanders in each Duchy. There are two marquesses in each duchy and they act as the King's representatives in all military matters. They also serve the function of ensuring that no duchy tries to foment rebellion against the king.

  Maugna: Andraen word for fortress.

  Maugna Faur: A fortress in Laraytia that guards the northern pass through the Durrenian Mountains. Overrun during the Faur Folly.

  Moonhaven: A church devoted to Blythwynn.

  Mundaaith: The Lord of Shadows. Master of the Dark. Mundaaith rules in The Dark Place and stirs evil in the hearts of men and women.

  Mundels: The demon army of Mundaaith. Laraytians believe the Mundels will rise at the end of days and wage war against Eleyria.

  Nox: One of three original regions in the Kingdom of Galadance.

  Nuldryn: A Duchy in the Northwest of Laraytia, Currently ruled by House Arlineous.

  Overlord: The highest rank attainable in the Laraytian Standards. There are only eight overlords at any time.

  Prime: A man or woman who has been posthumously designated as one of Lojenwyne's greatest disciples.

  Quotidians: Someone who does not practice magic. A term used by magicians.

  Ratharia: The tenth month of the Laraytian 12-month calendar.

  Recovery, The: The half-year war waged by Laraytia to re-take Lae Duerna Duchy from the invading Durrenians after the Faur Folly.

  Seamark: Also ‘C-mark’ and ‘seemark’. A brand in the shape of a letter C applied to the face of cowards in Laraytia.

  Shadow's Eve: The night when Blythwynn's Eye closes completely. A night where men and women are not judged. Mischief, violence, debauchery and drinking are common on Shadow’s Eve. Local garrisons and militias post extra guards in cities on this night.

  Signet: The first air rank in the Laraytian Standards. Signets are often noble or wealthy sons whose fathers buy them a commission.

  Songmaiden, Songmaster: Musicians and poets that attach themselves to a knight or other lord and document their lives.

  Stainless Laray: See Aerys Laray.

  Stout: The second earth rank in the Laraytian Standards.

  Stout With Honors: The third earth rank in the Laraytian Standards.

  The Illumination: The holy book of Blythwynn, transcriptions of Blythwynn's words and those of her early disciples and immortals.

  Thourne: A duchy in the Southeast of Laraytia.

  Thriad: An assistant to the chime or high chime of a moonhaven.

  Thrulls: Wild, violent pack creatures that are somewhere between man and monster.

  Trith Alms: Andraen mourning tributes made of woven reeds, feathers and bones.

  Trudge: The lowest rank in the Laraytian Standards.

  Underlord: The second highest rank in the Laraytian Standards. There are never more than thirty underlords.

  Unity Temple: A temple shared between the priests of Blythwynn and Lojenwyne. Such temples are divided so that the priestesses of Blythwynn never see the priests of Lojenwyne.

  Wardsman: A cinder of Lojen trained in the fighting arts known as Woja.

  Warts of Mundaaith: A Laraytian nickname for the Durrenian mountain range.

  Word of Lojen: The two holy books of Lojenwyne. The Endeavours is a lengthy chronical detailing Lojen's thoughts and ideas and those of his early disciples and primes. The Arms is a short book of quotes from Lojen and his disciples about war, family and honor.

  Wulvens: Vicious, wolf-like creatures with curling horns and red eyes.

  Wyverns: Flying creatures with scales and poisonous stingers.

  About the Author

  Roberto Calas is an author and lover of history. His serial trilogy (The Scourge) is about a 14th century knight fighting his way through a demon-infested England to reunite with the woman he loves. And every bit of it is true except for the made up parts. He earned a degree in journalism from the University of Connect
icut and worked as a reporter, freelance writer, and magazine editor. But his true love has always been fiction. In addition to The Scourge series, Roberto has written The Beast of Maug Maurai (fantasy), Kingdom of Glass (historical fiction in the Foreworld universe), and Wages of Sin (a historical- fiction short story). He lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, with his two children. You can learn more about him on his website: robertocalas.com.