His growl sounded aggressive, but when I glanced at him he was grinning like mad. Slowly, my eyes scanned the crowd and they rested on Zaith, who sat by a tree across from us. He was glaring our way, and dragons who sat near him whispered amongst themselves, glancing at him from time to time as if they were mocking him.
Doing my best to keep my concentration on my flute playing, I lazily traced his glare to Raikidan, and everything fell together. Whatever this red dragon’s problem was, I was really getting sick of it. I didn’t see how he had been given leadership of the clan. With the way he acted, it made me doubt he was much older than Raikidan, though I had this strange feeling deep inside that told me I was wrong to doubt.
Pushing my questions away, I focused on my flute playing. This issue with Raikidan was no concern of mine anymore. I wasn’t going to be a pawn in his little games, and he could deal with his own problems.
Once my song ended, I skillfully transitioned to another song, and this song perked my men’s interest the most. The song was low and slow, and it wasn’t long before the words of the ancient song were rolling off Talon’s tongue. For several moments it was only Talon singing but eventually other soldiers joined in, creating a harmony of ranges. Even some of the women were taking part in the song, although it wasn’t all that accommodating for their higher voice.
“I didn’t know anyone knew Old Tongue anymore, let alone humans,” a dragon commented.
“You don’t know much about speech origins, do you?” an elven villager remarked. “Humans were the first to speak Old Tongue.”
“That’s just a legend,” another dragon objected.
The elf shook his head. “Not a legend, a Story of Old. It was the humans who first learned to speak, and it was the humans who taught the other races to speak with them. It was that first teaching that spurred the diversity of languages today, but it was also that teaching that killed the Old Tongue.
“The fact that these soldiers harness even a piece of Old Tongue on their lips brings this scholar some peace. It is good to know Old Tongue isn’t more than just writings in a text in our vast libraries that only exist to collect dust.”
I tried not to smile at the old elf’s words, in fear of messing up my playing. This song was very special to us soldiers. It spurred hope in the weak and healed the broken. It was a song whose title was long forgotten but in the place of the title’s absence, placed peace in the souls of the weary.
Tomorrow I’d head back to camp, with news of what I had accomplished, but for now, I played this song, along with many others, just as old as the first, long into the night. This celebration would end with Tales of Old that were not spoken, but felt from even the most dead of hearts.
My eyes snapped open as a metal door clanged and footsteps stomped down the stone hall. Soldiers were coming and I wouldn’t doubt it was my turn to be interrogated. I wasn’t sure if they were the cause of my awoken state or because of what just happened in my dream, but it didn’t matter. Nothing did.
Two soldiers unlocked the door to the cell and headed straight for me. One hauled me to my feet while the other watched everyone in the cell to make sure none of them tried to attack.
I didn’t fight the soldier as he dragged me out of the cell and I didn’t react when he grabbed me by the hair roughly in hopes of getting a reaction. There was no need to, because I didn’t care. I didn’t care about anything anymore. I wasn’t going to squeal, no, I’d never do that to the others, but I didn’t care for life or anything that happened anymore.
I’d be interrogated, brought back, and then I’d sleep and continue to remember…
Thank you for taking the time to read this book. If you liked Pieces, please let me know with a written review. While this series is on going, there are others waiting to be written. Unless I know this series is wanted I’ll prioritize another book or series before returning to Eira’s adventure. Will new found allies lead to a sucessful path or a more stressed one? Will Eira and Raikidan manage to patch things up—maybe even trust each other?
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Continue reading for a snippet of the next installment:
SECRETS
EXPERIMENTAL HEART | BOOK THREE
Glossary
Characters
Dalatrend
Leaders
Zarda – Ruler of Dalatrend, nu-human
Military
Rick – Nu-human experiment, general, deceased
Verra – Nu-human experiment, general, vendetta against Eira and Amara, deceased
Zo – Nu-human experiment, general, interested in Eira
Rebellion
Council
Adina (ah-DEE-nah) – Oversees Team 7, nu-human experiment, first Dalatrend shapeshifter experiment
Akama (ah-KAH-mah) – Oversees Team 5, nu-human experiment, first Dalatrend Seer experiment (not planned), twin to Enrée
Eldenar – Oversees Team 4, nu-human experiment, first Dalatrend war experiment
Elkron – Oversees Team 6, nu-human experiment, first Dalatrend elementalist experiment
Enrée (EN-ree-ay) – Oversees Team 2, nu-human experiment, first Dalatrend Battle Psychic experiment (not planned), twin to Akama
Genesis – Oversees Team 3, first nu-human, necromantic abilities
Hanama (HAH-nah-mah) – Oversees Team 1, nu-human experiment, first Dalatrend anthropomorphic experiment
Team 1
Assassin based
Team 2
Recruitment based
Dan – Nu-human experiment, former lieutenant to Eira
Innon (EYE-nin) – Battle leader, nu-human experiment, former commander
Team 3
Income based, former Brute and foot soldier mostly
Andariel – Nu-human experiment, double ear prototype, brother to Azriel, former medic, strip club owner: Midnight
Argus – Nu-human experiment, inventor
Aurora – Nu-human experiment, Underground computer tech
Azriel – Nu-human experiment, double ear prototype, brother to Andariel, former medic, night club owner: Twilight
Blaze – Nu-human experiment, ladies’ man
Eira (AIR-uh) – Nu-human hybrid experiment, battle leader, former commander, assassin, fire shaman, mother to Ryder. Alt names: Laz, Laz’shika (laz-SHEE-kah)
Lena – Nu-human, partner to Zenmar
Orchon (OR-con) – Nu-human, bouncer at Twilight
Raikidan (RYE-ki-DAN) – Black and red dragon, cousin to Corliss, Guard in training
Rylan (RYE-lan) – Nu-human experiment, experimental shapeshifter: wolf, former captain, artificial mental bond with Eira, ice elementalist, interested in Ryoko
Ryoko (Ree-OH-koh) – Half-wogron experiment, clone of Peacekeeper Ryoko, Brute, former lieutenant, best friend to Eira, interested in Rylan
Seda (SAY-duh) – Nu-human experiment, psychic: Seer, twin to Nioush
Xantar (ZAN-tar) – Nu-human experiment
Zane – Nu-human experiment, uncle to Eira, brother to Jasmine and Amara, former soldier, mechanic
Zenmar – Nu-human experiment, crippled in a skirmish, partner to Lena
Team 4
Reconnaissance based
Team 5
Psychic based team
Team 6
Research and development based
Team 7
Reconnaissance based
Chameleon – Nu-human experiment, molecular fusion ability, former assassin
Doppelganger – Nu-human experiment, temporary cloning ability
Ezhno (EZ-no) – Nu-human experiment, Underground computer tech
Mocha – Nu-human experiment, anthropomorphic: cat
Nioush (NEE-oosh) –
Nu-human experiment, psychic: Battle Psychic, twin to Seda
Raynn (rain) – Nu-human experiment, battle leader, former general, clone if Peacekeeper Raynn
Moles
Ryder – Nu-human experiment, son to Eira and Rylan
Talon – Nu-human experiment, bone spike ability
Mercenaries
Arnia (ARE-nee-ah) – Nu-human experiment, twin to Jaybird, metal elementalist, former mole
Jaybird – Nu-human experiment, twin to Arnia, air elementalist, former mole
Shamans
North Tribe
Fe’teline (fey-TELL-een) – Nu-human, fire shaman
Ven’lar (ven-LAR) – Nu-human, healing shaman
South Tribe
Ir’esh (EAR-esh) – Chief, elf, father to Tla’lli, earth shaman
Ne’kall (nay-CALL) – Elf, son to Del’karo and Alena, father of four, fire shaman
Tla’lli (teh-LAH-lee) – Elf, daughter to Ir’esh, wind shaman
East Tribe
Nela – Nu-human, lightning shaman
Se’lata (say-LAH-tah) – Elf, spice merchant, earth shaman
West Tribe
Alena – Elf, wife to Del’karo, mother figure to Eira, mother of Ne’kall and twelve other children, healer
Daren – Human, Valene’s adopted father, inn keeper, former partner to Valessa
Del’karo (del-CAR-oh) – Elf, mentor and father figure to Eira, husband to Alena, father of Ne’kall and twelve other children, fire shaman
Ken’ichi (ken-EE-chee) – Nu-human, friend to Eira, Guard and healer
Maka’shi (mah-KAH-shee) – Leader, half-elf, ice shaman, widow
Mel’ka (mel-KAH) – Elf, elder, storyteller, earth shaman
Shva’sika (sh-VAH-see-KAH) – Elf, sister to Xye, mentor and adopted family to Eira, lightning shaman
Valene (Vah-LEEN) – Human, daughter to Valessa, Eira’s and Daren’s adopted daughter, earth shaman
Valessa – Human, mother to Valene, former partner to Daren, earth shaman, deceased
Xye (zeye) – Half-elf, brother to Shva’sika, attempted to court Eira, healer, deceased
Gods
Anila (ah-NEE-lah) – Goddess of air
Arcadia (are-KAY-dee-ah) – Goddess of spirits
Genesis – Goddess of life, partner to Zoltan
Gina – Goddess of health and healing
Halcyon (hall-SEE-on) – Goddess of the sea
Imera (eye-MEER-ah) – Goddess of literature and knowledge
Jin – Goddess of refined earth
Kendaria – Goddess of water
Koseba (koh-SAY-bah) – God of shapeshifting
Le’carro (ley-CAR-oh) – God of lightning
Lunaria – Goddess of the moon
Nazir (nah-ZEER) – God of death and corruption
Phyre (fire) – God of fire
Raisu (RAY-sue) – God of dreams
Rashta (RAH-sh-tah) – Goddess of judgement and rebirth
Rasmus – God of love and fertility, partner to Savada
Satria (sah-TREE-ah) – Goddess of war
Savada (sah-VAH-dah) – Goddess of sex and seduction, partner to Rasmus
Sela – Goddess of psychics, sister of Tyro
Solstice – Goddess of ice and winter
Solund – God of the sun
Tarin – God of nature, partner to Valena
Tyro (TIE-roh) – God of psychics, brother of Sela
Valena – Goddess of earth, partner to Tarin
Zoltan – God of life, partner to Genesis
Dragons
Corliss – Green and black dragon, cousin to Raikidan
Velsara Wilds Clan
Anahak (an-ah-HAWK) – Black dragon, mate to Xaneth, father to Rimu and six other offspring
Rimu – Black and red dragon, son to Anahak and Xaneth
Xaneth (zan-ETH) – Red dragon, mate to Anahak, mother to Rimu and six other offspring
Zaith – Clan leader, red dragon
Miscellaneous
Rosa (ROH-sah) – Succubus, mated to Zaedrix
Voice – Mysterious voice that speaks to Eira inside her head. Malevolent
Zaedrix (ZAY-driks) – Incubus, mated to Rosa
Spirits
Amara (ah-MAR-ah) – Nu-human experiment, general, mother to Eira, grandmother to Ryder, sister to Jasmine and Zane, water elementalist, deceased
Jade – Nu-human experiment, former soldier under Amara, deceased
Jasmine – Nu-human experiment, aunt to Eira, sister to Amara and Zane, geneticist, deceased
Tannek – Nu-human experiment, former soldier under Amara, deceased
Zeek – Nu-human, former soldier under Amara, deceased
Peacekeepers
Assar – dwarf, deceased
Pyralis (PIE-ral-iss) – Red dragon, former Velsara Wild Clan leader, deceased
Raynn (rain) – Human, deceased
Reiki (Ray-KEY) – Green dragon, deceased
Ryoko (Ree-OH-koh) – Half-wogron, earth shaman, deceased
Varro – Elf, healer, deceased
Glossary
Language
Elvish
Elvish is an eloquent language, light on the tongue with an airy sound. Even the usual consonants of common don’t hold the same harshness in Elvish. Many elves and other humanoids raised with Elvish as their mother tongue carry this light speech over in their common.
While not the easiest language to learn, Elvish is a favorite among the linguistically gifted. Those who seek to learn this language seek out elves before any other race and are taught by full immersion. Some elves will provide a few words for the humanoid to start with but it’s not common to do so. The elves believe this technique is the best way to learn and creates a better understanding of the language for everyday use.
Written Elvish is just as elegant as spoken, usually written in script by native speakers. Non-natives tend to forgo the script, which is accepted by native speakers, though the handwriting is still expected to be neat, and flourished on important documents. Sloppy writing is considered an insult.
Draconic
Draconic is a guttural language made up most of grunts and growls with the occasional tongue flick, exhales, or teeth clatter. It’s difficult for a non-dragon to learn, as the formation of these words are foreign to most humanoids. Some sounds are impossible for non-dragons to create so other sounds are substituted as an alternative. Even dragons taking a humanoid form must make these changes. Rarely is a humanoid able to perfect the speech, even when raised among dragons.
Those attempting to learn are always taught single words before attempting sentence structures. Draconic sentence structure is similar to Common, but with a possessive edge due to the mindset of dragons. There are no contracted words in Draconic, as such, dragons who don’t speak common often, tend to use the same sentence structures of their mother tongue when they do speak common.
It’s not common for dragons to write in the current age but there is a basic written form of the language that was used more extensively in the past. This written form is comprised of glyphs easily created with dragon claws and easy to decipher for most dragons no matter the cleanliness of the script. Non-dragons find this writing easier to learn than the spoken language and most of the time will stop learning after they’ve master it.
Below are phrases translated to Eira in the series:
Ion cuvk – Our kind
Lazmira, sa xruzk – Lazmira, my child
Zity, gyexy, lgunum, ziaeza, lynyvuma, lmnyvwmr, fulkis – Love, peace, spirit, loyalty, serenity, strength, wisdom
Lost Languages
/> Thought the history of Lumaraeon, language has developed and died, but some have left a more notable impact on the races. These forgotten languages hold important information lost during the millennia of turmoil making them important topics for scholars.
Old Tongue
Old Tongue, also known as God speech, is the most ancient form of speech that was replaced by the various languages of Lumaraeon, ultimately dying out among the mortal races. Much of the language was lost during the War of End and with no one but the gods around to remember, the language was thought dead. Until a large find of books in the Eternal Library turned up after a new entryway was found, eight hundred years ago.
Scholars have done their best to decipher the old language and have since found new discovery sites all over Lumaraeon to help with their research. But while the tongue is researched, it is not know if the translations are quite right, and no one has thought to ask the gods, not even Imera, the goddess of literature and knowledge.
Continue on for a preview of the third book in the Experimental Heart series:
SECRETS
EXPERIMENTAL HEART | BOOK THREE
Pieces Page 49
