'Are you looking for me?' Mihn asked softly, trying hard to sound friendly and approachable, but the very act of speaking almost spooked the girl into scampering back the way she'd come.

  'What's your name?' he tried again.

  The girl swallowed. 'Chera, sir.'

  Her faded dress had red flowers poorly embroidered along the hem. He guessed it had belonged to at least one older sibling before her. He gave a little bow. 'Hello, Chera. I am Mihn ab Netren ab Felith. Have you been sent to find me?'

  'Y- Yes, sir. She's screamin', sir, that brown girl, screamin' like the creatures of the Dark Place is after 'er.'

  Mihn frowned at the child's choice of words and she edged back a step, frightened by his expression.

  He smoothed out his frown and asked gently, 'Did the witch say I was to return with you?'

  Chera shook her head. 'Twilight, sir' she muttered. 'She said to make yersel' ready and come at the ghost hour.'

  Mihn nodded gravely. 'The ghost hour it is. Thank you, Chera.'

  He stood impassively, waiting until the child had disappeared back into the trees before he gave in to the overwhelming emotion that had hit him at her words.

  His face drained of blood and he sank to his knees, his legs betraying him. Gasping like a drowning man, he allowed a single moan of sorrow to escape his lips before he buried his face in his tattooed palms.

  'Isak,' he whispered, choking on his own tears. 'Merciful Gods, Isak, what have we done?'

  The story continues in

  THE RAGGED MAN

  DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  Aftal, Voss – Farian cleric and High Priest of Nartis in Tirah

  Afasin, Cardinal – White-eye general of the Knights of the Temples and

  ruler of Mustet Alav – Goddess of Justice, replaced Kebren during the Age of Darkness Alterr – Goddess of the Night Sky and Greater Moon and member of

  the Upper Circle of the Pantheon Amavoq – Goddess of the Forest, patron of the Yeetatchen and member

  of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon Amber – Nickname of a Menin major in the Cheme Third Legion Ankremer, Major Belir – Farian soldier, bastard of the previous Duke

  of Lomin Antern, Count Opess – Advisor to King Emin Antil, High Priest Alos – High Priest of Shotir in the Byora quarter of

  the Circle City Aracnan – Immortal wanderer of unknown origin Ardela – Farian devotee of the Lady, first in Cardinal Certinse's employ,

  then Chief-Steward Lesarl's Aryn Bwr – Battle name of the last Elven king, who led their rebellion

  against the Gods. His true name has been excised from history Asenn – Goddess of Rain and Snow, daughter of Lliot Astin – Mercenary-turned-penitent of Ushull in the Circle City Atro – Previous Lord of the Farian before Lord Bahl Ayel, High Priest Ora – High Priest of Vasle and advisor to General

  Afasin Azaer – A shadow

  Bahl – Lord of the Farian tribe before Lord Isak Belarannar – Goddess of the Earth and member of the Upper Circle of

  the Pantheon, once patron of the Vukotic tribe Bern, Jopel – High Priest of Death in Tirah. Beyn, Ignas – Member of the Brotherhood

  Bissen – Mage in the employ of Natai Escral, the Duchess of Byora Bolla Mercenary-turned-penitent of Ushull in the Circle City Boren, Litt Farian forester

  Borse, Sir Gliwen – Farlan nobleman from Lomin

  Brandt, Commander (Brandt Toquin) – Deceased commander of the

  Narkang City Watch. Younger brother of Suzerain Toquin Burning Man, the – One of the Reapers, the five Aspects of Death Cambrey Smoulder – Aspect of Ushull, local to the Circle City Carasay, Sir Cerse – Colonel of the Palace Guard of Tirah, from the Torl

  suzerainty Carel (Carelfolden), Marshal Betyn – Mentor and friend of Lord Isak,

  former Commander of his personal guard Celao, Lord – Litse white-eye, Chosen of Hit and ruler of the Ismess

  quarter of the Circle City Cerdin – God of Thieves Certinse, Knight-Cardinal Horel – Commander of the Knights of the

  Temples, younger brother of Suzerain Tildek, Farlan by birth Certinse, Cardinal Varn – Farlan cleric. Third son of the Tildek

  Suzerainty, younger brother of Suzerain Tildek, Knight-Cardinal Certinse and Duchess Lomin Certinse, Duke Karlat – Farlan nobleman, ruler of Lomin, grandson of

  Suzerain Tildek Chalat – Deposed Lord of the Chetse Chera – A little girl from Llehden Chirialt, Dermeness – Farlan mage

  Chotech, General – Chetse general of the Knights of the Temples Citizen – see Dei, Kepra Conjurer – Farlan mage and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's coterie of

  secret advisors Coran – White-eye bodyguard of King Emin Thonal of Narkang Corast, Petril – Farlan forester Corerr – A junior priest from the Harlequin clans Corlyn – The traditional name adopted by the head of the Farlan's priest

  branch of the Cult of Nartis Cormeh, Scion Tew – Farlan nobleman, heir to the Cormeh suzerainty Cuder, Sir Creyl – Knight of Narkang, founding member of the

  Brotherhood organisation Dahten, Sir – Farlan nobleman, head of Suzerain Torl's hurscals Dake, Colonel – Member of the Knights of the Temples, originally from

  Canar Thrit Dancer – Farlan nobleman and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's coterie

  of secret advisors Dare, Legion Chaplain – Farlan chaplain, second only to High Chaplain

  Mochyd Darn, Major Ferek – Menin major in the Cheme Third Legion Dast, Garan – Byoran government minister

  Death-Chief of the Gods and head of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon Deebek, Sergeant Menin soldier in the Cheme Third Legion

  Dei, Kepra – Landlady of the Cock's Tail Tavern in Tirah and member

  of the Chief Steward's coterie known as Citizen Denn, Valo – Member of the wagon-train where Isak grew up Derager, Gavai – Wife of a Byoran wine merchant and Farlan agent Derager, Lell – Wine merchant from Byora, a Farlan agent Dev, General Chate – Chetse general and Commander of the Ten

  Thousand Diril Halfmast – Byoran whore, an agent of Zhia Vukotic Disten, Cardinal – Farlan cleric, once a Legion Chaplain Doranei, Ashin – A member of the Brotherhood Doren, Abbot-Abbot of an island monastery and High Priest of Vellern,

  God of Birds Duril – Farlan forester

  Dyar, Marshal Harin – Commander of the Byoran Guard Echer, High Cardinal – Farlan cleric, leader of the cardinal branch of the

  Cult of Nartis Ehla – The common name Lord Isak is permitted to use for the witch of

  Llehden Eliane – The name Haipar is known by after she loses her memory Endine, Tomal – Narkang mage in the employ of King Emin Eraliave – Elven general who predated the Wars of the Houses; he wrote

  the treatise Principles of Warfare Escral, Natai, Duchess of Byora – Ruler of the Byora quarter of the

  Circle City Escral, Ganas, Duke of Byora – husband of Natai Escral, Duchess of

  Byora Etesia – Goddess of Lust, one of the three linked Goddesses who together

  cover all the aspects of love Farlan, Deliss – The first king of the Farlan

  Farlan, Kasi – Farlan prince during the Great War, in whose image white-eyes were created and after whom the lesser moon was named Farmer – Farlan landowner and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's coterie

  of secret advisors Fate – Goddess of Luck, also known as the Lady Fell, Chaplain – Cleric of Karkarn and member of the Knights of the

  Temples, attached to the First Akell Legion Fernal – A Demi-God living in Llehden

  Fershin, Horman – Farlan wagon-driver, father to Lord Isak Firrin – A member of the Brotherhood

  Fohl, Captain – Commander of the Duchess of Byora's personal guard Foleh, Suzerain Shoqe – Farlan nobleman Fordan, Suzerain Karad – Farlan nobleman Foret – Farlan forester

  Gesh Litse white-eye and First Guardian of the Library of Seasons Gort, General Jehehl Deceased general of the Knights of the Temples

  Grast, Deverk – Former Lord of the Menin

  Great Wolf, the – One of the Reapers, the five Aspects of Death

  Gren – Farlan forester

  Grisat – Mercenary-turned-penitent of Ushull in the Circle City

  Harys – Brothel-owner in Byora, an agent of Zhia Vukotic

  Hain, Captain – Menin officer in the Cheme Third Legion

  Haipar the shapeshifter – Raylin mercenary of the Deneli tribe from the

  Elven Waste, known as Eliane when she loses her memory Headsman, the – One of the Reapers, the five Aspects of Death Heren, Jeyer – Farlan forester Heren, Hoi – Farlan forester Horle – A member of the Brotherhood Hit – God of the Wind, patron of the Litse tribe and member of the

  Upper Circle of the Pantheon Ilumene – A former member of the Brotherhood Imis, Suzerain – Farlan nobleman Ineh – Lover of Lord Bahl before she was raped and murdered by the

  white-eye Lord Atro Inoth – Goddess of the Western Seas, eldest and most powerful child of

  Lliot who took his place in the Upper Circle of the Pantheon Intiss, Ginna – A merchant's wife from Tor Milist Intiss, Harol – A merchant's son from Tor Milist Introl, Tila – Advisor to Lord Isak, affianced to Count Vesna Isak – Lord of the Farlan, Chosen of Nartis and Duke of Tirah Islir, Witchfinder – Member of the Knights of the Temples, of Litse

  origin Jachen, (Major Jachen Ansayl) – Commander of Lord Isak's personal

  guard and former mercenary Tackier, Sergeant – Member of the Knights of the Temples, Farlan by

  birth Jackdaw (Prior Corci) – Former monk of Vellern Jato, Steward – Steward of the Tower in Byora Jelil – Mage in the employ of the Duchess of Byora Jerequan (The Lady at Rest) – Aspect of Amavoq Jerrer, Emissary Peyel – Emissary from Sautin Jesher, Cardinal – Deceased Farlan cardinal noted for his religious

  parables Jesters, the – Demi-Gods and Raylin mercenaries, sons of Death Jorinn – Maid to Queen Oterness Kam, Jendal – Farlan forester Kantay – Goddess of Longing, one of the linked Goddesses who together

  cover all the aspects of love, sometimes referred to as Queen of the

  Unrequited Kass, Unmen Eso – Farlan priest of Vasle Kayel, Hener – The name used by Ilumene in the Circle City

  Karkarn – God of War, patron of the Menin tribe and member of the

  Upper Circle of the Pantheon Kebren – Deceased God of Justice, patron of the Fysthrall, died during

  the Last Battle Kelet, Sir Veyan – Farlan nobleman and Ascetite Kerek, Brother – Farlan cleric, secretary to Cardinal Certinse Kervar, Quartermaster-General Pelay Quartermaster-General of the

  Farlan Army Kerx, Captain – Mercenary from Tor Milist in the employ of High Priest

  Bern Kiallas – Litse white-eye Kirl, Horsemistress Lay – Menin auxiliary, attached to the Cheme Third

  Legion Kitar – Goddess of Harvest and Fertility, member of the Upper Circle of

  the Pantheon Kiyer (of the Deluge) – Aspect of Ushull, local to the Circle City Lady – Fate, Goddess of Luck

  Lahk, General – Farlan white-eye, commander of the forces in Tirah Larat – God of Magic Manipulation, member of the Upper Circle of

  the Pantheon Larim, Shotein – Menin white-eye mage, Lord of the Midden Tower and

  Chosen of Larat Legana – Farlan devotee of the Lady, employed as an assassin and spy Lehm, Suzerain Preter – Farlan nobleman

  Leitah – Deceased Goddess of Wisdom 6k Learning, sister to Larat Lesarl, Chief Steward Fordan – Principal advisor to the Lord of the

  Farlan Leshi – Farlan Ascetite soldier

  Leyen, Sir Arite – Principal minister to the Duchess of Byora Lier, High Priest Ayarl – High Priest of Alterr in Byora Lliot – Deceased God of Water, he died during the Age of Myths. His

  domain was divided up among his five children: Inoth, Turist, Shoso,

  Vasle and Asenn Lonei, Father – Priest of Shotir in Byora Lokan, Duke Shorin – Farlan nobleman and ruler of Merlat Loris, Sergeant – House guard in the Coin district of Byora Luerce – Inhabitant of Byora and follower of Azaer Macove, Count Perel – Farlan nobleman from Saroc and member of the

  Brethren of the Sacred Teachings Malich, Cheliss – Deceased mage of Embere, father of Cordein Malich,

  teacher of the young Morghien. Died on the expedition to Castle

  Keriabral. Malich, Cordein Deceased necromancer from Embere Meah, Suzerain Farlan nobleman

  Medah, Colonel – Farlan soldier, commander of a Torl light cavalry

  legion Merchant – Farlan merchant and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's

  coterie of secret advisors Mihn ab Netren ab Felith – Failed Harlequin, now friend of Lord Isak Mikiss, Koden – Menin army messenger turned to vampirism by Zhia

  Vukotic Minnay – Orphan from Byora, now a ward of the Duchess of Byora Morghien – A drifter of Embere descent, known as the man of many

  spirits Nai – Manservant to the necromancer Isherin Purn Nartis – God of the Night, Storms and Hunters. Patron of the Farlan

  tribe and member of the Upper Circle of the Pantheon Nelbove, Suzerain Atar – Farlan nobleman Nerlos, Suzerain Jai – Farlan nobleman Nostil, Queen Valije – Aryn Bwr's queen, first owner of the Skull of

  Dreams, deceased Nostil, Prince Velere – Aryn Bwr's heir, first owner of the Skull of

  Ruling, deceased Ortof-Greyl, Colonel Harn – Member of the Knights of the Temples Parim, Eyl – Demagogue from Narkang in the king's employ Parss – Aspect and son of Ushull, local to the Circle City Peness – Mage from the Byora quarter of the Circle City Pir, Sir Arole – Farlan nobleman, second cousin to Duke Certinse Prayer – Farlan priest of Nartis and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's

  coterie of secret advisors Rojak – Deceased minstrel originally from Embere, first among Azaer's

  disciples Ruhen – The name used by Azaer as a mortal Sailor – Farlan sailor and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's coterie of

  secret advisors Salen – Menin Lord of the Hidden Tower and Chosen of the God Larat Saljin Man, the – Daemon sent to plague the Vukotic tribe Sants, Major – Member of the Knights of the Temples, First Akell Legion,

  originally from Canar Thrit Saroc, Suzerain Fir – Farlan nobleman and member of the Brethren of

  the Sacred Teachings Sebe – Member of the Brotherhood

  Seliasei – Minor Aspect of Vasle that now inhabits Morghien Selsetin, Suzerain Pelan – Farlan nobleman Sempes, Duke Faran – Farlan nobleman Shael, Captain – Member of the Knights of the Temples, First Akell

  Legion Sheln, Brother-Captain Tanao – A member of the Brethren of the Sacred

  Teachings

  Sheredal, Spreader of the Frost – A minor Goddess who is an aspect of

  the Goddess Asenn Shinir – A Farlan Ascetite agent Shotir – God of Healing and Forgiveness. Siul, Suzerain – Farlan noble

  Soldier, the – One of the Reapers, the five Aspects of Death Soldier – Farlan soldier and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's coterie of

  secret advisors Sourl, Cardinal – Ruler of the Akell quarter of the Circle City and

  member of the Knights of the Temples Styrax, Kohrad – White-eye son of Lord Styrax

  Styrax, Kastan- White-eye Lord of the Menin and Chosen of Karkarn Tell, Lord Yanao – Former Lord of the Litse Teral, Major Evor – Farlan member of the Knights of the Temples, First

  Akell Legion Teviaq – Demi-God, Raylin mercenary and daughter of Amavoq Tehran, Suzerain Kehed – Farlan nobleman Tehran, Scion Pannar – Farlan nobleman Thonal, King Emin – King of Narkang Thonal, Queen Oterness – Queen of Narkang Tildek, Suzerain Esh – Deceased Farlan nobleman, elder brother of

  Knight-Cardinal Certinse, the dowager Duchess Lomin and Cardinal

  Certinse and uncle of Duke Certinse Tiniq – Farlan ranger and brother of General Lahk Tol the charcoal-burner – Farlan forester and charcoal burner Torl, Suzerain Karn – Farlan nobleman and member of the Brethren of

  the Sacred Teachings Tremal, Harlo – Member of the Brotherhood Triena – Goddess of Romantic Love and Fidelity, one of the three linked

  Goddesses who together cover all the aspects of love Tsatach – God of Fire and the Sun, patron of the Chetse tribe Uresh, Colonel – Menin officer, commander of the Cheme Third Legion Ushull – Goddess of the Mountains, Aspect of Belarannar Varner, Private – Farlan white-eye in the Tirah Palace Guard Vasle – God of Rivers and Inland Seas Veck, Cardinal – Farlan cleric, second only to the High Cardinal in the

  cult of Nartis Veil – Member of the Brotherhood Vellern – God of Birds Vener, General/Cardinal Telith- Member of the Knights of the Temples

  and ruler of Raland Venn (ab Teier ab Pirc) Former Harlequin, now servant of Azaer Vercn Deceased First God of the Beasts and once Member of the I Jpper

  Circle of the Pantheon, killed during the Great War

  Vesna, Count Evanelial – Farlan nobleman and celebrated soldier,

  affianced to Tila Introl Vrerr, Duke Sarole – Ruler of Tor Milist Vrill, Duke Anote – White-eye Menin general Vukotic, Prince Koezh – Ruler of the Vukotic tribe, cursed with

  vampirism after the Last Battle Vukotic, Prince Vorizh – Younger brother of Koezh, cursed with

  vampirism after the Last Battle and subsequently driven insane Vukotic, Princess Zhia – Youngest of the Vukotic family, cursed

  with vampirism after the Last Battle Whisper – Farlan merchant and member of Chief Steward Lesarl's coterie

  of secret advisors Wither Queen, the – One of the Reapers, the five Aspects of Death Woran (Sniveling Woran) – Farlan forester Xeliath – Yeetatchen female white-eye who has the Skull of Dreams fused

  to her hand Yanai – House guard in the Coin district of Byora Yeren, Colonel – Mercenary from Canar Thrit in the employ of Cardinal

  Certinse Zaler, Lieutenant – Farlan soldier, aide to Suzerain Torl

  FB2 document info

  Document ID: fbd-d6c35c-3b05-9c4d-b68c-51bc-bb0c-0142d2

  Document version: 1

  Document creation date: 26.08.2010

 

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