Tazrae hadn’t mentioned growing up with Svefra. Had Lance mentioned his thoughts out loud, she would have corrected him. She hadn’t lived her entire life in Syka and certainly hadn’t grown up there, but she had run into numerous Svefra since relocating. They were the ones she interacted the most with – cooked for, hired for extra help, and went sailing with. And they almost always made sure they made landfall on a Tenday. Shameless opportunists are what they actually were and she would have openly accused any of them of being so had the situation arose. And they would have owned it, naturally.
The thought brought a smile to Tazae’s face.
She answered his next question, just after the collision, with a simple nod letting him know she was okay. It wasn’t part of the game, but a simple courtesy. Lance had been watching everything with great interest, especially eyeing the weapons and clothing. Taz guessed from the way he looked at them that such things weren’t available in Sunberth or at least weren’t easily acquired. She could understand that though slavery, perhaps, was a ton more common. The strong ruled Sunberth while the weak served the strong.
They got settled into the room for the night, each laying their offerings on a small table Tazrae dragged out of one decorative corner and placed in front of the couch that sat before the roaring fire. If nothing else, the placement would keep the food that was meant to be warm, gently warming. She built up the fire as he fussed around putting things out and laying out their small feast that would sustain them through a night of long conversation. Tazrae left her backpack on the other bed that Lance didn’t claim and then kicked off her sandals to be more comfortable. She padded barefoot around the spacious room and felt the acute absence of Ixam. Even a snake or two wouldn’t be unwelcome. But the rented suite felt… cold, empty, without the windows thrown open and Syka’s life sounding all around it. It acutely reminded her that she was in a foreign land.
“Another question, huh? Of course, I have one.” She said, then turned to study him to see if he was serious about her asking a somewhat serious question. He seemed to be open to it, so she spoke slowly but clearly. “What is your greatest personal flaw as you see it?” She asked, wondering how well he knew himself or if he’d even answer the question at all.
Tazrae settled on one end of the couch, leaving the other for Lance. It gave her an opportunity to study his features by the firelight. It wasn’t late, not really, but the light was dropping fast as it always did in the desert. The firelight was starting to throw shadows, which was a perfect atmosphere for good conversation.
She carefully poured each of them a goblet of wine and surveyed the spread before them. The woman had been picky about her selections, leaving off fruits and vegetables for more exotic things she couldn’t get in Syka. The jungle fruit was some of the best around and nothing in The Outpost would remotely taste as well as things she sourced locally at home. So instead, she had purchased already baked berry pies and hand tarts. There were rolled up meat offerings that had some sort of exotic spread within them. She cut bread into slices and buttered them liberally, then spread with exotic cooler-temperature berry jams that she had no access too. Her one cavate was fresh cherries. She’d bought three kinds. Seeing if she could get cherry trees to grow in the tropics would be a challenge. Taz had no expertise at botany or gardening, so she wasn’t sure it was feasible. And one thing she noticed was that with gardeners, they were only experts on their areas, not far-flung locations that may or may not take to their plants kindly.
It was something that she had to figure out… a problem for another time. Until then though, she’d enjoy the cherries she’d bought and maybe would stop by that particular vendor to get more before she went back to the jungle. Leaning forward, Tazrae plucked up one of the whitish red ones, intrigued that it was paler than other cherries and savored it slowly as she pulled the flesh off the pit with her teeth and slid it discretely out of her mouth along with the stem. Going back for more, she continued to surveying Lance.
He was older than she was, Taz decided. There were lines on his face and a chisel to his features that whispered of an age she hadn’t quite achieved yet. Maybe he just lived harder though. Sunberth wasn’t known for its fresh air and abundant food. From what she’d heard, it was a lot of dirt and dubious supplies in the way of fresh food… if that was even a thing.
“I told you that I would tell you a story… one that was about the end of the world.” She started off, not sure if he’d heard of the tale of The Empire of Suva and the fall of its kingdom. “This all happened five hundred and twenty-three years ago. There were only two kingdoms, The Empire of Suva and the Alahean Empire. There was no Suvan Sea in those days. Instead, the continent was one massive place divided in two. The western kingdom was The Suvan Empire and they were highly militaristic. Every one of their citizens served in the military and gave two to five years of their life to it before they started their adulthood. Some made careers of it. The other empire was made of mages, and dominated the east coast. They were constantly at war. It was a brutal time, but also a very technological superior time. They had things we could only dream of. They fought until the Queen of Alahea, Kova, agreed to settle the war by marrying the King of Suvan Empire. They came together in the capital city of Suva for the wedding. It’s important to note that Suva was in the exact geographical center of the continent of Mizahar. The Wedding was a lavish affair and was carried out without incident. People came from all over the world to attend it, thankful that there would finally be peace and one united kingdom.” Taz said softly, leaning in and plucking a slice of dark rye bread up from the table and dressing it in butter and elderberry jam. She nibbled on it before she continued.
“It wasn’t until that night that things took a dark turn. Galifer Odalah, the Emperor took his new queen to bed and found out she was not a virgin. His rage was unthinkable, and he beat her almost to death before he impaled the beautiful young queen to the gates of Suva.” Taz said softly, the darkening room around them adding an air of almost supernatural to the atmosphere. She liked the affect as continued on with her story.
“There was a hush that fell over the city at what Galifer did. No one knew what was happening, and they’d be dead before they realized the truth. You see, Kova’s lover wasn’t just some handsome mage or a noble from her court. Kova’s lover was Ivak, the God of Fire.” Tazrae said softly. She took a drink of her wine, a bite of her rye bread, and chewed thoughtfully. The Sykan tilted her head as if to decide how to proceed, before she continued.
“When Ivak realized what happened, he went insane. He was in love with the young queen, and she’d gifted him with a child.” The woman continued. “In his madness, he destroyed the world. He threw up volcanos and blew the city of Suva from the face of the world, leaving only a massive crater that flooded from the world’s oceans. Our oldest records say that the land heaved, the seas dropped as they flooded inland, and incredibly powerful wild djed was released across the world.” Tazrae said.
“Most of the people living that day were dead by the day’s end. The others fled, most taking shelter beneath the ground as the world rearranged itself above. Djed storms swept the land, unpurposed magic transforming and exposing those left venerable until they changed or died. Crops were gone. Fresh water turned to salt. The land mourned Kova’s death and there was no stopping Ivak’s pain and rage.” Tazrae said, taking another swallow of wine.
“Finally, the Gods banded together to take Ivak down. The God of Peace sacrificed his life to imprison Ivak in a volcano to the north called Mt. Inarta. It’s the home of the Inarta and the city of Wind Reach where giant eagles live. He remained there for five hundred and twenty years… until three years ago when mortals followers of his released him back into the world.” Taz said thoughtfully, gesturing around. “That was what caused the big djed storm that hit the world three years ago. It was Ivak’s release from his prison.” The Storyteller added. She’d heard the tale over and over again from Svefra. They were fond of it, and told it often especially on the anniversary of the Valterrian. “They call the death of the world The Valterrian. We remember it the first day of spring each year.” Tas said softly.
She picked up her wineglass and drank deeply from it before leaning forward and selecting a bit of sliced chicken – the red coated tyle Lance had picked out. The young Sykan popped it into her mouth and smiled in appreciation. “That was a good choice. It’s delicious.” She commented before taking another sip of wine.
“Can you imagine? Five generations passed. The first and second generations withstood all those djed storms that came erratically and were not predictable. They had to live through the weather stabilizing and the earth settling. I think they did it mostly below ground or in far flung locations well away from the center of the Suvan Sea. I think about it, often, when I sail….what’s beneath me. There are whole cities buried in that ocean.” Taz said thoughtfully.
“And now… as part of the fifth generation after it… people barely remember.” Taz quietly spoke, shaking her head. “They easily forget how volatile the Gods can be.” She added.
Words: 1740
The thought brought a smile to Tazae’s face.
She answered his next question, just after the collision, with a simple nod letting him know she was okay. It wasn’t part of the game, but a simple courtesy. Lance had been watching everything with great interest, especially eyeing the weapons and clothing. Taz guessed from the way he looked at them that such things weren’t available in Sunberth or at least weren’t easily acquired. She could understand that though slavery, perhaps, was a ton more common. The strong ruled Sunberth while the weak served the strong.
They got settled into the room for the night, each laying their offerings on a small table Tazrae dragged out of one decorative corner and placed in front of the couch that sat before the roaring fire. If nothing else, the placement would keep the food that was meant to be warm, gently warming. She built up the fire as he fussed around putting things out and laying out their small feast that would sustain them through a night of long conversation. Tazrae left her backpack on the other bed that Lance didn’t claim and then kicked off her sandals to be more comfortable. She padded barefoot around the spacious room and felt the acute absence of Ixam. Even a snake or two wouldn’t be unwelcome. But the rented suite felt… cold, empty, without the windows thrown open and Syka’s life sounding all around it. It acutely reminded her that she was in a foreign land.
“Another question, huh? Of course, I have one.” She said, then turned to study him to see if he was serious about her asking a somewhat serious question. He seemed to be open to it, so she spoke slowly but clearly. “What is your greatest personal flaw as you see it?” She asked, wondering how well he knew himself or if he’d even answer the question at all.
Tazrae settled on one end of the couch, leaving the other for Lance. It gave her an opportunity to study his features by the firelight. It wasn’t late, not really, but the light was dropping fast as it always did in the desert. The firelight was starting to throw shadows, which was a perfect atmosphere for good conversation.
She carefully poured each of them a goblet of wine and surveyed the spread before them. The woman had been picky about her selections, leaving off fruits and vegetables for more exotic things she couldn’t get in Syka. The jungle fruit was some of the best around and nothing in The Outpost would remotely taste as well as things she sourced locally at home. So instead, she had purchased already baked berry pies and hand tarts. There were rolled up meat offerings that had some sort of exotic spread within them. She cut bread into slices and buttered them liberally, then spread with exotic cooler-temperature berry jams that she had no access too. Her one cavate was fresh cherries. She’d bought three kinds. Seeing if she could get cherry trees to grow in the tropics would be a challenge. Taz had no expertise at botany or gardening, so she wasn’t sure it was feasible. And one thing she noticed was that with gardeners, they were only experts on their areas, not far-flung locations that may or may not take to their plants kindly.
It was something that she had to figure out… a problem for another time. Until then though, she’d enjoy the cherries she’d bought and maybe would stop by that particular vendor to get more before she went back to the jungle. Leaning forward, Tazrae plucked up one of the whitish red ones, intrigued that it was paler than other cherries and savored it slowly as she pulled the flesh off the pit with her teeth and slid it discretely out of her mouth along with the stem. Going back for more, she continued to surveying Lance.
He was older than she was, Taz decided. There were lines on his face and a chisel to his features that whispered of an age she hadn’t quite achieved yet. Maybe he just lived harder though. Sunberth wasn’t known for its fresh air and abundant food. From what she’d heard, it was a lot of dirt and dubious supplies in the way of fresh food… if that was even a thing.
“I told you that I would tell you a story… one that was about the end of the world.” She started off, not sure if he’d heard of the tale of The Empire of Suva and the fall of its kingdom. “This all happened five hundred and twenty-three years ago. There were only two kingdoms, The Empire of Suva and the Alahean Empire. There was no Suvan Sea in those days. Instead, the continent was one massive place divided in two. The western kingdom was The Suvan Empire and they were highly militaristic. Every one of their citizens served in the military and gave two to five years of their life to it before they started their adulthood. Some made careers of it. The other empire was made of mages, and dominated the east coast. They were constantly at war. It was a brutal time, but also a very technological superior time. They had things we could only dream of. They fought until the Queen of Alahea, Kova, agreed to settle the war by marrying the King of Suvan Empire. They came together in the capital city of Suva for the wedding. It’s important to note that Suva was in the exact geographical center of the continent of Mizahar. The Wedding was a lavish affair and was carried out without incident. People came from all over the world to attend it, thankful that there would finally be peace and one united kingdom.” Taz said softly, leaning in and plucking a slice of dark rye bread up from the table and dressing it in butter and elderberry jam. She nibbled on it before she continued.
“It wasn’t until that night that things took a dark turn. Galifer Odalah, the Emperor took his new queen to bed and found out she was not a virgin. His rage was unthinkable, and he beat her almost to death before he impaled the beautiful young queen to the gates of Suva.” Taz said softly, the darkening room around them adding an air of almost supernatural to the atmosphere. She liked the affect as continued on with her story.
“There was a hush that fell over the city at what Galifer did. No one knew what was happening, and they’d be dead before they realized the truth. You see, Kova’s lover wasn’t just some handsome mage or a noble from her court. Kova’s lover was Ivak, the God of Fire.” Tazrae said softly. She took a drink of her wine, a bite of her rye bread, and chewed thoughtfully. The Sykan tilted her head as if to decide how to proceed, before she continued.
“When Ivak realized what happened, he went insane. He was in love with the young queen, and she’d gifted him with a child.” The woman continued. “In his madness, he destroyed the world. He threw up volcanos and blew the city of Suva from the face of the world, leaving only a massive crater that flooded from the world’s oceans. Our oldest records say that the land heaved, the seas dropped as they flooded inland, and incredibly powerful wild djed was released across the world.” Tazrae said.
“Most of the people living that day were dead by the day’s end. The others fled, most taking shelter beneath the ground as the world rearranged itself above. Djed storms swept the land, unpurposed magic transforming and exposing those left venerable until they changed or died. Crops were gone. Fresh water turned to salt. The land mourned Kova’s death and there was no stopping Ivak’s pain and rage.” Tazrae said, taking another swallow of wine.
“Finally, the Gods banded together to take Ivak down. The God of Peace sacrificed his life to imprison Ivak in a volcano to the north called Mt. Inarta. It’s the home of the Inarta and the city of Wind Reach where giant eagles live. He remained there for five hundred and twenty years… until three years ago when mortals followers of his released him back into the world.” Taz said thoughtfully, gesturing around. “That was what caused the big djed storm that hit the world three years ago. It was Ivak’s release from his prison.” The Storyteller added. She’d heard the tale over and over again from Svefra. They were fond of it, and told it often especially on the anniversary of the Valterrian. “They call the death of the world The Valterrian. We remember it the first day of spring each year.” Tas said softly.
She picked up her wineglass and drank deeply from it before leaning forward and selecting a bit of sliced chicken – the red coated tyle Lance had picked out. The young Sykan popped it into her mouth and smiled in appreciation. “That was a good choice. It’s delicious.” She commented before taking another sip of wine.
“Can you imagine? Five generations passed. The first and second generations withstood all those djed storms that came erratically and were not predictable. They had to live through the weather stabilizing and the earth settling. I think they did it mostly below ground or in far flung locations well away from the center of the Suvan Sea. I think about it, often, when I sail….what’s beneath me. There are whole cities buried in that ocean.” Taz said thoughtfully.
“And now… as part of the fifth generation after it… people barely remember.” Taz quietly spoke, shaking her head. “They easily forget how volatile the Gods can be.” She added.
Words: 1740
