Dionné

Selucian sat down on a smooth boulder while he examined his whereabouts. He had to be close now, because he recognized the fallen tree in front of him. But had he turned left after it or kept going forward? He could navigate through the streets of Pairlu blind easily enough. Yet the forests of West Pelisir kept him wandering in circles. He didn't mind so much, though. These woods were always calm and quiet, and the air was fresh and fragrant. He felt at peace here, and could have remained sitting on the boulder through the remainder of the evening except for the tingling excitement that kept his feet fidgeting in the soft ground beneath him.

It was now nearly the same time as it had been the evening before when he had encountered the beautiful maiden that had since captured his every thought. His entire being refused to be put at ease until he had seen her again... or at least learned her name.

As he sat contemplating on his boulder a doe stepped cautiously toward him from between two trees. It paused mid-step and stared at him as he held his breath, afraid that he might scare it away. When he had not moved for the space of almost a minute the doe stepped closer. It paused again, but more briefly this time, and then continued moving closer still.

When it was within arm's reach Selucian ventured to speak, because he did not know what else to do. "Good evening, small one," he said softly.The doe's ears stood upright and it stopped suddenly, as though his words froze it in place. Selucian began to raise his arm slowly and outstretch it toward the deer. "Please, do not run away." He smiled at the creature. "But if you do, I shall still consider myself favored by the Gods because of your quiet visit."

The doe's ears and stance relaxed. Selucian's fingers touched its nose lightly. He expected it to immediately bolt away from him and disappear into the woods. But it did not. Instead it stepped even closer and smelled his body.

The two made eye contact again, and then the does turned and walked slowly to the fallen tree ahead of them. It looked back, as though to see if he were following.

Selucian, suprised, pointed at himself. "You desire for me to follow you?"

The doe bounded over the dead trunk and then resumed its slow pace northward.

Selucian rubbed his chin. "How peculiar," he muttered. But then he rose to his feet and followed after the deer.

It was a short time later that Selucian and the deer entered the glade that he remembered so clearly from the evening before. "Amazing," he said, and then looked down at the creature next to him. "How did you-"

"Pela'anispé."

The doe immediately bounded away, heading toward the source of the sound. The female voice came from behind the pale tree with fuscia colored blossoms at the far end of the glade.

Selucian realized that he was holding his breath anxiously when a light-footed young woman walked gracefully from behind the tree and into view. Her delicate wings fluttered as she smiled at him in recognition.

"You are here..." Selucian caught himself gaping at her and promptly closed his mouth.

The doe now stood beside the woman and was licking friendily at her fingertips. The woman indicated the doe with a nod and repeated, "Pela'anispé."

"Ahh...I see." Selucian pointed at the deer. "She is your pet?"

The woman tilted her head slightly, "Pet?" she repeated.

Selucian nodded excitedly and stepped toward her. "Yes, pet. That is to say, she belongs to you." He tried to come up with some sort of sign language as he spoke. Fumbling with his wristband, he continued, "Like this... This wristband is my possession. It belongs to me."

She wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

"Well, if not a pet, then... a friend?"

"Friend?" She thought about the word. Then, patting the doe softly on the head, she nodded. "Friend." She then indicated all the small animals and birds around the glade. "Friends."

"How fascinating," Selucian commented in wonder. He was near to her now. "And was that this one's name? Pela... Pela'anispe?"

She laughed at his attempt to pronounce such an unfamiliar word, but nodded afirmatively.

He looked down at the doe then and said, "Well, Pela'anispé, thank you for leading me here. I am in your debt." He put his hand on his chest and addressed them both. "My name is Selucian."

She placed her hand on her chest, as he had done, and said, "Essynse."

The Capture

The troop's commander grabbed one of his soldiers by the shoulder. "Don't go any further," he warned.

The soldier looked back at him irritably. "But we have him, cahpo. I heard the snare-"

"Just wait a little longer." The Commander kept his hand on the man's shoulder as his eyes searched the dense jungle growth before them. He would not allow them to move from where they crouched, quietly waiting, until he was absolutely sure.

Another soldier spoke from behind."Cahpo, I heard it spring also. We need wait no longer."

"He is there for the taking," another added.

The Commander spun on his heels and glared at his men behind him. "Your impatience will be our doom!" He tried to keep his voice down, despite his anger. "I do not think you trully realize how dangerous this assisgnment is!"

"But he is one man, cahpo."

"He is a Zregman!" the Commander snapped in reply. "And one zregman is equal to all six of you!" He shook his head in annoyance at their ignorance. "Not only that, but he is now like a scydrion in a trap. Twice as dangerous because he is backed into a corner! The Zregii value freedom and independence more highly than you can imagine. They do not go quietly when threatened!"

The first soldier grinned at his brothers-in-arms. "He will go quietly enough when he is surrounded by our spears. And if that doesn't work, he will break under the sting of our whips."

The Commander backhanded the soldier and sent him sprawling. With all their attention now fixed, he said, "You have all seen Zregii warriors with their famous tattoos, but have you ever learned the process of that tattooing? Well, let me just say, the pain is more than any of you have had to bear, and the process is not over quickly. And many of them do their own." He glowered down at the fallen soldier. "Pain, sirrah, is not a threat to one such as him."

The Commander then stepped over the soldier and quietly moved a branch with large, wide leaves aside. He strained to peer through the foliage and catch sight of their snared target. As his mind evaluated possible approaches he muttered, more to himself, "How ironic that it is Zregii jewels that fund this assignment..."

From the Journal of Selucian (while in K'sep)

I, Selucian Dantares, have never struggled for words. It is a fact that I take pride in. Very few have had the opportunity to study under the great orator and writer, Crusforo. I count myself among those select few... But how do I even begin to describe in words what has transpired today. As I reflect on it, it seems to me as a dream... one I do not soon want to wake from, for the image has captured my soul! The memory of her beauty alone still fills my eyes with tears. Alas! I find that I perhaps may be a sentimental and emotional man after all!

I shall do my best to explain.

I have come to the woods beyond K'sep in search of the mineral called Zsusmer. But what I have found is fast becoming far more valuable to me... I came upon her while traversing the woodland with little on my mind but the description of the mineral I saught. In truth, she was aware of my presence long before I was aware of hers.

I had just pushed aside a branch and entered a calm glade that was shadowed under the canopy of towering sycamores. I was staring at the ground like a fool, when I heard the sweetest sounding voice that has ever touched my ears. I looked up, startled, and discovered a maiden sitting before me beneath a pale tree with fuscia colored blossoms that seemed to glow. She did not run away at my sudden intrusion. Indeed, she did not appear afraid at all.

She spoke again... her language was unfamiliar to me, but the tone was kind. I stumbled through an apology for having invaded her solitude and she rose gracefully to her feet. It was then that I saw the small, delicate wings that grew from her back. I have read about beings of myth, but the sight left me gaping at her in wonder. She laughed at my obvious awe, and then walked toward me with a fluid grace that can only be found in those of her kind.
She curiously touched my cheek and laughed at the courseness of my stubble. My heart grew warm at the feel of her touch, and without thought I reached up and gently took her hand. I must have been lost to good sense and sound mind, for I would never have been so bold in any other circumstance. My boldness must have amused her because she laughed and her teal eyes glittered.
But that was the end of our meeting. She spun around and dashed into the forest that surrounded our peaceful glade, and I was left with the lingering sound of her laughter and the memory of her face hovering before my eyes.
I will return to that spot again in the morning... I cannot help but hope that she, by some miracle, will think to do the same.

~Selucian Dantares

Visitor

Ulgrez pushed the iron gate outward, indifferent to the screech of the hinges, and stepped out onto the vacant street. It was dark now, and shadows were kept at bay only by the periodic street lamps whose flames licked at the refreshing night air.

"Finally got bored in there, eh, Ulgrez?" The question came from the guard who sat on a barrel positioned next to the gate.

Ulgrez put his hands on his hips and strecthed his back. "I'm just getting bored in general."

The guard smirked at that. "Try sitting here for hours and hours with nothin' to do but stare across this ole' street at vacant buildings." He stood up and stretched his back as well.

Ulgrez cocked one eyebrow and surveyed the multiple levels of dark windows opposite them. "I have never taken the time notice... Are they all vacant?"

"Everyone within a half a league on either side of us moved out when the Capt'n moved in. And I doubt anyone new will take their places."

Ulgrez laughed scornfully. "You'ld probably do the same if you were one of them. You clam up tighter than anyone I've seen anytime he passes you."

The guard defended, "Well the Capt'n doesn't have the friendliest of reputations!"

Suddenly Ulgrez held up a finger to silence the man as he turned his head to look down the lamplit street.

Four dark figures stood a short distance away in the shadows between two lamp posts. As Ulgrez and the guard stared on, they stepped out onto the street and made their way toward the Black Captain's enclosed villa. They all wore cloaks so their features could not be identified.

"Now who do you suppose-"

"Shut-up!" Ulgrez snapped at him. He then turned back toward the figures and shouted, "I would stop right where you are unless you don't mind the idea of being fed to Greh'Yaelos Kornan's pet sharks!"

Their pace slowed only slightly and the figure foremost among them replied, "Is that name supposed to scare us?" It was a female voice with an edgy tone that cut like a razor.

Both men in front of the gate immediately recognized the accent and the guard spat, "L'disian!" He spun around to grab a spear that leaned against the wall.

Ulgrez had already pulled a dagger from his belt and was marching forward angrily to intercept the figures. "I don't know who you are, or what you think you're doing here but-"

He didn't have a chance to finish. With a simple snap of the female's fingers the cloaked individual beside her leapt forward with unusual strength and smacked the blade from Ulgrez's grip, while the other hand grasped his neck. The hood of the cloak had fallen back and Ulgrez had a split second to identify some features.

It was a man that attacked, or at least had been a man, because his eyes and snarl contained a viciousness that Ulgrez considered inhuman. His hair was dark and dissheveled, and his eyebrows were thick. But before Ulgrez noticed more, the man roughly threw him to the ground and bounded on top of him. Ulgrez was tall with thick shoulders and had never had a problem holding his own in a brawl, but this shorter opponent attacked with such a wild aggression that it was all Ulgrez could do just to defend himself, let alone rise to his feet. Sharpened fingernails tore into the flesh of Ulgrez's shoulder while the other hand balled into a fist and slammed into Ulgrez's head repeatedly.

At that point the guard drove the point of his spear into the attacker's leg. The howl that erupted from his lips was more out of annoyance than pain. He angrily snatched the shaft from the guard's grasp, just as Ulgrez reached upward and back-handed him across the jaw. Offbalance now, the man unintentionally opened himself up to an onslaught from Ulgrez and the guard.

Ulgrez soon threw his weight against the man's knees and shoved him backward, and then jumped up onto his feet to grab at his fallen dagger. He briefly caught sight of one of the other figures leaping toward the guard as he bent downward. Then he heard his companion's scream just as firelight from a nearby lamp post glinted off a devilish blade and Ulgrez was forced to halt in his tracks. The blade was held firmly against his neck by the female figure who he had at least identified as being L'disian. The hood of her cloak still hung low over her face, masking her features, but wicked yellow eyes seemed to glow through the darkness.

"You react instinctively and without panic... I am impressed," she said with a hint of amusement. The malicious edge to her voice still remained though.

Ulgrez's fierce glare did not waiver. "I have been in worse situations."

"I believe you have." A smile revealed beautiful white teeth with sharp canines. "But it can quickly become much... much worse. You do not want to imagine what I am capable of."

There was silence for a moment. Finally Ulgrez asked steadily, "What do you want?"

She seemed pleased because the spiteful smile returned, but the blade remained tight against his neck. He could feel blood begining to soak into his tunic. She replied, "Take me to your Captain."

From the Record of Huntley, Knight of the Order of Arthus. (Translated and recorded by Malien Waleran, Scribe at the College of History in Pairlu)

Today my Brothers and I have acquired the body of Essynse. At long last she will receive a proper burial and be laid down into serenity. May the spirit of her beloved husband, Selucian, now finally retire from this land and rest in peace.

I wonder if it is coincidence that this day falls on the 189th anniversary of her tragic death. For this evening will bring the third visit of the Herald of Spring ~ translator's note; the Herald of Spring is a comet which can be seen in the northern hemisphere every 63 years, and it "heralds" in the end of the north's "Long Winter" (which lasts for three years prior) ~ Three stones, three tears, for three periods between the Herald's renewal.

I pray that fortune will show us favor. I have sent Arcello to Dionne ~ translator's note; Dionne is the name of the site where Selucian and Essynse were believed to be married ~ in order to begin the construction of her tomb. No one shall be allowed to disturb her while her soul rests in the eternities. The Kesepians have vowed to protect the secret of Dionne which will be of great aide in keeping RiMaud from being able to locate and desecrate it.
~ Further translation of Sir Huntley's writings will be completed once Master Berardus allows me into the vault in the Library of Historical Records ~

Excerpt from the Journal of Selucian, Master Scholar of Pairlu

"This, the 3rd day of Brae, and 950th year of Doz-re'alm Ajos (or as the Kenarians refer to as Betus Periodum - 2nd Age)...
We are in a season of renewal here in Pairlu. The gardens around the College of Natural Science, my home, are rapidly approaching their full splendor. The air is humid, but sweet. And society lingers outside longer, sipping Querum and discussing politics... about Balbo's idea of diplomatics with the Kenarians, no doubt. They consider him too cautious - to the point of cowardice, even. But they have hot tempers and little patience. Balbo will do what he considers best.
Listen to me talk thus... In my youth, I would have joined them, I suppose. I was not so different from them. Was I not a student, as they are now, with the same passion for knowledge and progression? Naye... I was more. My passion for knowledge tip-toed on the verge of lust. In truth, I was the steersman of those conversations.
That is, I dare say, why I am where I am today. Why I now sit alone at my window, merely viewing the evening activities. Why I now live each day, and each moment of each day, longing for her...my young wife.
Oh, the longing is enough to decay my soul! What I wouldn't give to have her back...!
But I did give, and now I live with the regret of that as well...
It is late now. My wandering mind makes it difficult for me to sleep anymore... I must put aside these thoughts again, and resume some level of sanity. There will be students at my door in too short of time."

~Selucian Dantares

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-C. Rorke Wall

Maps of Locations found in Tear of the Sea (Part 1 of Selucian's Tears)

The world of TaeAra {tay'ah'ruh}. At the center (and slightly right) of the TaeAra-map is the island of Keneroon {ken'err'oon}, which consists of two provinces of the I'landis Empire {eye'lann'diss}. The eastern half is Tesirea {tess'iir'ee'uh}, and the western half is Tebalea {teh'ball'ee'uh}.

The large inlet into Tesirea is the Sea of Drucorr {druh'kor}, and at its furthest west point is our first location in the story. The Prologue drops you in on a scene of revelry at this location, and it is only visited in the Prologue and Epilogue. It is called Corsanis {kor'sann'iss}, and it is the capital of the province of Tesirea. It is an old and very large city, making it ideal for "underground" activites - such as the one taking place in the prologue.

(Image of Keneroon/close-up coming)

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During the majority of the story you are taken through a small continent called Crune {kroon}, beginning at another port-city. This one is Empirica {em'peer'ih'kuh} - at the southernmost point of the northermost inlet. It is another capital, but not for the L'disians {luh'diss'ee'un} of I'landis. Rather, it is a growing city of importance for the L'disians' rivals, the Yuaelans {you'ell'un}.

Then, just across the mountains to the west of Empirica is I'landis territory. And on the far west coast (centrally positioned) is Sharkara {shar'kar'uh}. This is where Vitrena is from. At the age of 17 she joins her father on a trip to Tandera (several months after her older brother's death) where she runs away into the Opal Mountains. It is there that she is captured during a raid on a settlement by men-at-arms working for the Yuaelan Viceroy of Empirica.

She is now a terrified, helpless slave... in her enemy's world, in a land and culture that she has never experienced. But her journey is only just beginning...

A significant amount of the story takes place at sea, between the locations of Yhevelta and the Keti-Orient. The waters here are traversed substancially by our characters. In Vitrena's case, it is not with the highest quality of company. But it is also not without its memorable impressions, because it is within these waters that that migration path of the majestic Evyhmrii {ev'im'ree} (fantastical species of whale) crosses.

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The Keti-Orient... very rarely seen by "foreigners", it is a world of its own. Full of exotic creatures, and climates that encompass a wide variety, this land instills itself into Vitrena's soul. There is respect and honor to Ketimure that she has never experienced or felt before, and she will never be able to shake its effect on her.

(...more to come / post still being developed...)