by Tyson, Mark
“I know you are there, Trendan,” she said, pulling a blanket over herself.
Trendan plopped down on a wooden stump at the center of the tent. “Naturally, I’m surprised to see you still in camp. Aren’t you cold dressed like that?” Trendan was relieved she covered herself. Fayne shrugged but did not answer him. “I thought you had traveled all this way to meet Vesperin, yet you have waited here for three days now. I don’t understand you, Fayne.”
“I don’t expect you to. It is our tradition. I have prayed for three days, and now I must fast for four days to purify myself before I approach him in order to secure Loracia’s blessing.”
“Four days? You may not have four days. I have come to tell you. The Defenders are digging in and preparing for battle, and Vesperin left with Morgoran and Dorenn for Draegodor this morning.”
“So, the dark armies of Naneden will take the Sacred Land?”
“It certainly appears that way unless the knights of Trigothia can be convinced to join the battle. Dorenn has been acting strange lately, and Vesperin fears he may have essence sickness. He says it sometimes happens to first time wielders.”
Fayne gave Trendan a concerned look. “Oh, how would Vesperin know this?”
Trendan looked away from her piercing blue eyes. “Vesperin knows many things; he has trained as a cleric all his life.”
“Will Dorenn be safe to travel then? What of his wounds?” Fayne asked.
“He will travel if he has to. If the Defenders are forced to retreat, the dark armies will route Lux Enor, so there is little choice. Besides, Vesperin has cured most of Dorenn’s wounds.”
Fayne bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Trendan, but I cannot see Vesperin yet. A heaviness grows in my heart. I will have to miss my opportunity it seems.”
Trendan suddenly became visibly upset. “But why? He is not but a few hours away from here.” He stood from the stump and reached for her arm. “Come, I will be at your side.” Fayne pulled back sharply from Trendan’s grasp just as a thunderclap rumbled angrily above. Trendan sat back puzzled, disappointment clear on his face. “As you wish, Fayne, but I find this behavior somewhat suspicious.”
“Suspicious? In what manner am I suspicious?”
Trendan fidgeted with his fingers. “I should think that one who has traveled so far to meet the man in her dreams would rush to his side, especially if she were as close to him as you are to Vesperin at this moment.” He glanced out at the rainfall. “He will pass this way through the western forest for Lux Enor. Why not find your way to him then?”
Fayne became angry but kept her composure. “Don’t you think I want to? I have stood at the edge of this forest straining my eyes as far as I can see to get a glimpse of him to no avail. I can’t wait to put my arms around him and kiss him as his wife.”
“Then come with me now. I can take you to him and still follow Kimala’s trail tomorrow.”
“Trendan, I can’t. Loracia has not given me the sign, and I will only go at her will. Vesperin will not know me as his wife without her blessings. I must wait.” Fayne paused for a moment as she realized what Trendan had said. “Kimala? You plan to track her down instead of traveling with Dorenn?”
Trendan grimaced then spoke softly. “I do.”
“Why, she is leagues away by now. What do you hope to accomplish?”
“Bren believes she may have been traveling by way of dragon. Do not ask me how he knows such a thing. He also believes the dragon has abandoned her, and she may have been forced to flee on foot. She couldn’t have gotten far.”
“What do you plan to do if you find her?”
“I will take her to Dorenn and Morgoran, of course.”
Thunder cracked and Fayne jumped. She pulled her blanket tighter. “I am coming with you then.”
“You certainly are not!” Trendan was adamant.
“You need a woman with you to fend off Kimala’s womanly wiles.”
“What are you talking about? I can do my duty without falling prey to such nonsense.” He rolled his eyes. “Womanly wiles.”
Fayne stared at Trendan patronizingly and then stood up and let her blanket fall to the ground. A moment later, her frock slid from her lithe body. As Fayne stood before him naked, Trendan could not bring himself to turn his eyes away from her. Her smile grew as his face turned from pink to red. “By Fawlsbane’s beard woman, what are you doing?”
Fayne pulled the blanket up from the ground and covered herself. She sat back on her stump. “Proving a point. You are no more immune to a pretty woman than a thirsty man is from a mug of ale. It is the way of men.”
Trendan scoffed at her logic. “If that is true, than how can you trust me to travel with you without succumbing to your wiles?”
Fayne giggled. “Because I am for Vesperin and you honor him.”
Trendan waved his forefinger at Fayne. “This is a cruel game, Fayne, and I’m not going to play it with you. I will travel alone.”
“As you traveled to the Sacred Land alone?” she remarked. “I think not. I can track you if need be; however, it would make much more sense to travel together.”
Trendan sighed. “If you plan to follow me anyway, what choice do I have?”
“No choice at all,” she said smiling. “Now get out of here so I can get dressed. I am freezing.”
The End of Book One
Defenders of the Sacred Land
A Note from the Author
Hello! I wanted to thank you for reading the first book in The Sacred Land Saga. I hope I got you hooked, because there is much more to come. While I was preparing this book for publication I was also hard at work on book two so I do not anticipate it will be long before book two is available. I began writing this series in 2006 and I have outlined at least four books in the series. While developing the story, I recently realized it may actually expand to five books. The next book in the series is Exiles from the Sacred Land.
If you enjoyed this book please go to Amazon and give it a good review. I always love hearing from my fans!
Cheers! See you in The Sacred Land!
Mark Tyson 2014
Glossary
Note: I intentionally did not put this glossary in alphabetical order because I wanted to keep like elements together (like the first entry on the elves). I did put pronunciation guides on the tougher names and words. This glossary will grow with the series as it unfolds. --MT
Arillian Elves- High elves from the Isle of Arill. They migrated to the isle of Arillia at the end of the first age after their forests became grasslands and the area now known as Ishrak had become cursed. They are the fairest of elves and most elegant.
Siladil- elven name for the sand elves of Darovan. They Migrated to Darovan and learned to live in the harsh desert conditions. They are notoriously hard to see while traveling across sand and they can sink down into it as if they were submerging in water. They are fierce fighters and are almost impossible to defeat in the desert. They have darker, sun kissed skin and light eyes. They are shorter than the Arillian elves and considered to be more primitive.
Eridil- elven name for wood or Sylvan Elves. They are the only race of elves that did not migrate, instead they made their home in Endil (Foreshome) where they still remain. They are shorter than Arillian elves and have slightly darker skin, but are still considered fair and wise.
Noradil- elven name for the Shadow or jungle elves of Darovan. They migrated along with the Siladil but found the desert too open and sparse. They moved into the dense jungle of Darovan and started harvesting the plant life there to make poisons, medicines, and magical elixirs. Most Apothecaries are Noradil.
Sand Elves-See Siladil
Jungle Elves-See Noradil
Shadow Elves-See Noradil
Amar- race of high men from Lux Amarou. First creation of Fawlsbane Vex
Lux Amarou- continent in the north inhabited by the Amar, (high men). The oldest cities of man are on Lux Amarou, but are all in ruins now and inhabited by the ghosts of the dead
.
Adracoria- Southernmost Trigothian kingdom. Ruled by the Adrac family.
Symboria- Oldest kingdom of men on the continent proper, home to the race of men known as Are’dune.
Scarovia- kingdom east of the Jagged Mountains, Home of the Scarovs or Scarovians as some cultures call them.
Noanas- Lost race of High Dwarf.
Are’dune- Race of men who can trace their origins to Lux Amarou and the Amar but are not considered truly high men.
Melias- Monk of Fawlsbane Vex. Guardian and sworn protector of Dorenn Adair.
Dorenn Adair- innkeeper’s son from the village of Brookhaven in Southeastern Symboria. Son of Lourn and Dellah Adair.
Tatrice- Kitchen maiden in the Tiger’s Head Inn in Brookhaven, Symboria
Vesperin- Orphaned Cleric of Loracia from Brookhaven, Symboria and Friend of Dorenn
Rennon- Dorenn’s closest friend. Apprentice to Sanmir the Apothecary of Brookhaven, Symboria.
Morgoran- aka Morgoran Cleareyes. Member of the holy trine (first trine) representing man and Fawlsbane Vex. He is reputed to be the most powerful wielder who has ever lived. (Favors balance in ruling)
Toborne- Member of the holy trine (first trine) representing Ae’digaan and the Scarovs. He tried to steal the Silver Drake and take over the world. (Favors cut throat politics and ruling by fear)
Ianthill (E-un-thill) - Member of the holy trine (first trine) representing elves, Xeian, and Breannan.
(Favors ruling with compassion, kindness and a people’s majority)
Seancey (SHAWN-see) - Ranger of Symboria stationed in the Vale of Morgoran, Brother of Lady Shey.
Enowene (IN-O-ween) - High Elf and younger Sister of Ianthill.
Rodraq (Rod-rack) - Lady Shey’s man-of-arms.
Naneden (Na-NEED-den) - Symbolic Leader of Scarovia.
Drakkius- Symbolic Leader of Abaddonia.
Kimala- Mistress of Naneden.
Trendan- Half-elven friend of Dorenn from the land of the woodland elves. He has lived in Brookhaven most of his life.
Ganas- Scout from Brookhaven for the King’s army of Symboria.
Symbor- Capital city of the kingdom of Symboria. This city was once called Paladine and is not to be confused with Old Symbor, which is now a ruin in The Sacred Land. Old Symbor is the original home of Shey and Seancey.
Ishrak- Northern kingdom bordering Symboria, the Jagged Mountains and Ardenia. The kingdom was cursed and remains a forbidding, desolate land full of danger. Only small pockets of man, elf and civilized folk live there.
Darovan- Island continent southwest of the tip of Adracoria where some of the elves of old migrated. Home to the Siladil and Noradil elves.
Dellah- Inn mistress of the Tiger’s Head Inn in Brookhaven, Symboria. Mother to Dorenn Adair.
Lourn- Innkeeper and owner of the Tiger’s Head Inn in Brookhaven, Symboria. Father of Dorenn Adair.
Bren- Dragon Knight from Draegodor
Dragon Knight- Men, Elves, Dwarves, and Scarovs who have chosen, or have been chosen by the dragons, to serve as knight protectors of the dragon realm.
Dranmalin- An ancient sword forged by dragons. Its name literally means dragon hammer in ancient dragon speak. It magically binds to its owner. It is currently Dorenn Adair’s sword after leaving Signal Hill.
Arasyth/Sythia- Trigothian kingdom between Adracoria and Ardenia, Host to the Great Sythian Forest. Ruled by the Arasyth family.
Ardenia- Northernmost Trigothian kingdom. Ruled by the Arden family.
The Jagged Mountains- Huge mountain range that separates Scarovia and Abaddonia from the west. It is the home of Dwarves, Dramyd, and Drasmyd Duil among others.
The Sacred Land- Huge tract of land once belonging to Symboria that hosted the war of the Oracle and was devastated into a wasteland unable to support life or feed essence for wielders. It is guarded as a reminder of what magic can do to the land and is the reason magic use was outlawed in the southern kingdoms.
Sylvalora-(SIL-va- lore-a) Traveling companion and mentor to Lady Shey
The Silver Drake- A statuette made of pure silver inset with ruby eyes made by the first holy trine to select the one man worthy of leading the kingdoms of the west as overlord or Highlord. The gods themselves took up the Silver Drake and bestowed into it each their own gift. It is unknown what many of the gods gifts where but the goddess of life, Loracia, gave the Silver Drake the gift of life. Fawlsbane Vex gave it a will and mind of its own.
The Archers of Endil- Elven archers from the city of Endil (Foreshome) that have built a reputation as the most feared archers ever known. They are of the Eridil (Sylvan Elves) and have never known defeat.
Endil- (Foreshome) Home city of the wood elves (Sylvan, Eridil) located deep in the Great Sythian Forest.
The Great Sythian Forest- Huge forest stretching the whole length of the coast of Sythia from north to south. It is the home of the Eridil among other creatures.
Trigothia- ancient kingdom of the three major houses of Are’dune men. In the civil wars the three families separated the kingdom in to the three kingdoms of Ardenia (Arden family), Sythia (Arasyth family) and Adracoria (Adrac family)
Trigoth- Once the capital city of Trigothia it was split into three sectors each belonging to the three Trigothian kingdoms of Adracoria, Ardenia, and Sythia.
Lux Enor- Capital of the west. Home city state of the Highlord.
The Mountains of Madness- Mountain range in the northern part of Ishrak. Not only are these mountains infested with orcs, goblins and fouls beasts but it is also home to the Black city of Kragodor, city of the fallen (evil) Dragons.
Draegodor- (Dray-go-door) the city of red. Home of the Dragons not in exile nestled deep in the Jagged Mountains.
Dramyd-(Draw-mid) winged creature created from drake eggs. Designed to kill. They do the bidding of Drasmyd Duil.
Drasmyd Duil- (Draws-mid Do- ill) – shape shifters. They are cunning and deadly. They usually lead packs of Dramyd. They are also known as Shadow Lurkers.
Dragon Fang- Sword of a dragon knight. Not actually a dragon fang but made of metal.
Dragon Claw- parrying sword (dagger) of a dragon knight. Not actually a dragon claw but made of metal.
Lora Daine-(dragon stone) Stone of the dragons and dragon knights used for communication between dragons and their dragon knights over long distances. Can also send its user back and forth between stones.
Broodlord- common name given to a Dragon Knight with high ranking (a brood is a family of something. A broodlord would be high member of a family or lord of the brood.)
Shadow Lurker- pertains to a Drasmyd Duil. A nickname.
Loracia- (LORE-race-E-uh) goddess of life and mother of the gods
Fawlsbane Vex- god, co-creator of the world and father of the gods.
Vale of Morgoran
Vetell Fex- Monastery located in Symboria.
The Sea Goddess- A wooden clipper ship captained by Felladan.
Gondrial- First apprentice to Ianthill. A longtime friend of Lady Shey.
Kerad- powerful Cleric of Loracia currently serving in the Vale of Morgoran and serving Morgoran.
Ageanna- god, creator of drakes and dragon kind
Myradon- The first and most powerful gold dragon created by Fawlsbane Vex. He guards the ethereal gates of Venifyre.
The Myradon Codex- Tome of Myradon.
Venifyre- (Ven-nee-fear) Realm and home of the gods. In ancient dragon tongue first created by the gods (y) is represented as an ‘ea’sound so Venifyre is not pronounced Ven-nee-fire but Ven-nee-fear. So Genidyre would be pronounced Jin-nee-dear not Jin-nee-dire.
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