Chronicles of Galadria I - The Other World

by David Gay-Perret

  My dear friends,

  When you read this, I will already be far away. I have to ask you first of all, not to try to find me. I don’t even know myself where I’m going.

  It would be pointless for me to write down all of the wonderful times we’ve passed together, or the darker times, either; they are all written in ink in the depths of our hearts, and it isn’t necessary to put them on paper. So what can I tell you? I would love to tell you the reasons I’m leaving, if only I understood them myself. I want to protect you, and I am hunted. The best way seems to be if I put as much distance as possible between us.

  But I know that there is also something else, deep within me. Curiosity, of course, and a desire to explore, without a doubt. But also fear, and perhaps even... yes, perhaps even egotism, and weakness. The weakness to not be able to remain with you; the weakness to have to flee before my responsibilities. It is up to me to lead you, and today I am voluntarily giving up my task. But do you even still need me?

  Jeremy, you who from the very beginning did not know what to make of it all: you want to rejoice and share in my joy because, after all, you chose to follow me, but I see that you cannot accept this change in our lives so easily. You now have a stable situation, and you are studying a powerful technique. In a little while, you will be able to protect many people.

  Gwenn, you’re ever optimistic, always seeing the good side of everything. Your good humour when we first discovered Rackk, and the joy that you hold onto when faced with new things is your strength. Thanks to that, you have held on this far. Today, I ask that you hang on again, now for a long time. Continue to look at everything around you just as you do now. I know that you will be able to build a life for yourself here.

  And you, Emily. You’ve felt despair more than the rest of us. At first, you never quite resolved to accept what has happened, you never ceased to refuse to see the truth. Yes, you have changed. As I watched you today, I no longer saw the fearful adolescent that I knew before. Before me now was a determined woman, prepared to do anything to change things. You continue to search for a way to return home, and that will probably never change, but Galadria has become a part of your life, and I must congratulate you for the strength you’ve proven to have.

  I remember that you asked me not to abandon you. And know that I’m not abandoning you. Instead, I find that you no longer need me. From now on, I would only be a danger, and nothing more. And there you have it. I’ve said everything.

  Let me just add that I’ve taken a little of the money, and I’ve left you a copy of our map. I’ve taken the original with me.

  Glaide paused for a moment, and stared into the flame of the candle. Outside, he could still hear the sound of the celebration. He again took up the plume.

  Our paths are separating. Perhaps we will come across one another again, and perhaps not. Continue to have great courage, progress always, and if you can, bring aid wherever it is necessary. If one day I become this ‘Destroyer’, if one day I become strong enough to protect you, and to face you again... Then know that on that day, I will search for you, and I will continue to search until we are reunited once more. But who knows how much time that will take? Emily, Jeremy, Gwenn, my friends. You’ve accompanied me on a great adventure, in the greatest joy of my life, and for that, I am grateful.

  Glaide signed. His throat was tight, and he had to work to remain calm as he asked the innkeeper to give the paper to his friends when they came down the next morning. The man nodded. The boy quickly checked that his pouches were still filled with the healing herbs, that he had his map and his money, and then, after waving to the tavern keeper, he left. He carried with him a sack with his original clothing and some food.

  He walked quickly to the entrance of the city, the main gate congested with the celebration that continued on in full swing. The guards on watch before the gate waved merrily at him, but he didn’t have the heart to respond in like kind, and simply gave them a forced smile.

  Walking did him good. He started to walk faster. He could feel his arms trembling, and he pulled them close to his chest to try to still them. He wanted to reach the hill as quickly as possible. Yes, to put as much distance as possible between him and Shinozuka... between him and his friends.

  The moon was full, and the stars glistened. Glaide looked at them for a moment, and the trembling in his limbs lessened. His mind began to clear. “Am I weak?” he asked himself. Is it weakness to want to protect my friends? And am I really even doing this to protect them? Aren’t I really doing this for myself? To prove to myself that I’m capable of confronting anything? Perhaps...”

  Whatever the response, just as the young man reached the top of the hill and turned to look one last time on the capital of the Known Lands, tears spilled down his cheeks that were bitter and filled with pain – but also filled with hope. Then, Glaide turned his back on Shinozuka and began to move down the hill, a lone figure underneath a broad canopy of stars.

  End of Volume 1

  The adventure continues in “Chronicles of Galadria II: Encounters”

  And so ends the first volume of the adventures of Glaide.

  Thank you for coming with us this far! I hope the beginning of the story piqued your interest, and that you now want to discover the next part. After all, this is just a preview of all that awaits you in the five volumes to come: action, deep reflection, emotions and drama, new places and people, and many surprises. The next volume is filled with journeys and new encounters of all kinds.

  Don’t forget to leave a comment wherever you procured this book. That will help other readers know if the book is for them, and I’d love to know what you’ve thought of it, myself.

  To prolong the adventure, why not listen to the music associated with the story that I composed myself? If that interests you, the tracks are available on Jamendo (as a series of albums entitled “Chroniques de l’Autre Monde”), and I can also suggest a combination of music paired with text from the books, available on Youtube (as a playlist entitled “Chronicles of Galadria”).

  At last don’t hesitate to visit www.gayperret.com, (under Music, My Compositions, Chroniques de l’Autre Monde) for more information.

  If you wish to contact me, don’t hesitate to send me an email (I speak French, English, and Swedish) at david.gayperret@gmail.com!

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