Page 90 (1/2)

PART I

The raven soars on wings of fire

When flames are born

In summer winds

—SEORDAH POEM, AUTHOR UNKNOWN

VERNIERS’ ACCOUNT

I was raised in luxury I ies for this, one cannot influence one’s parentage after all Nor do I find st opulence with numerous servants and excellent tutors to nurture my ever-curious and talented mind So there are no tales of hardship froainst the inequalities and injustices of life I was born to a fae and considerable wealth, received an exceptional education and was thence facilitated into court service via h loyal readers will be aware that heartbreak and grief were not absent from my life, I had never known a day of physical exertion in the thirty-six years preceding the events detailed in this narrative Had I known, of course, that the voyage to the Unified Realin my work on a co land, would ensure an end to radation, humiliation and torture, please rest assured I would have happily leapt over the side and endeavoured to swih countless miles of shark-enriched waters

You see, by the advent of the day on which I choose to begin this tale, I had learned pain I had learned the lessons of the whip and the cudgel, theteeth and resistance with it I had learned to be a slave That is what they called me, for that is what I was, and despite whatever nonsense you may have heard or read since, I was never, at any point, a hero

The Volarian general was younger than I’d expected, as was his wife, my nener “Doesn’t look a scholar, true-heart,” he” He reclined in silk robes of red and black, long-limbed and athletic as befits a soldier of some renown, and I was struck by the absence of scars on the pale flesh of his legs and arms Even his face was smooth and completely unmarked By now I had endured numerous encounters arriors from several nations, but this was the first to be entirely unscarred

“Does seefor the inevitable cuff or whip-strike fro the first day of eant flayed and dise in the direction of a junior officer in the Free Cavalry It was a quickly learned lesson

“Honoured husband,” the general’s wife said in her strident, cultured voice “I present Verniers Alishe Someren, Imperial Chronicler to the Court of the Emperor Aluran Maxtor Selsus”

“Can this really be hienuinely interested for the first time since my entrance into this finely appointed cabin The chae for a ship-berth, richly decorated in carpets and tapestries, tables generously laden with fruits and wine But for the gentle sway of the huge warship beneath eneral rose and approachedmy face closely “The author of The Cantos of Gold and Dust? Chronicler of the Great War of Salvation?” He stepped closer and sniffed ust “Saze is far too direct”

Heidly at the overseer who adle, hard strike to the back with the ivory handle of his whip, delivered with practised econoed it behindwithout consent was a fatal offence

“Husband, please,” the general’s wife said with a tinge of annoyance “He was expensive”

“Oh, I’ over to fill it with a wine cup “Don’t worry, honoured wife I’ll ensure his wits and hands are left intact Won’t be -slave, how do you come to be here in our newly acquired province, mmm?”

I answered quickly, blinking away agonised tears, hesitation was always punished “I came to research a new history, Master”

“Oh excellent I’reat admirer of your work, aren’t I, true-heart?”

“Indeed, husband You are a scholar yourself” There was so in her voice when she said the word “scholar,” faint but present Scorn, I realised She doesn’t respect this ift of me

There was a brief pause before the general spoke again, a slight edge to his voice He had heard the insult, but chose to tolerate it Who truly holds power here?

“And as its subject?” the general enquired “This new history of yours?”

“The Unified Realm, Master”

“Ah, then we have done you a service have we not?” He chuckled, delighted with his own hu”