A Tale of Genivan

The child whimpered in the frozen tundra but not because of the cold, he was immune to cold, an ancient magic from his people ran through his veins. A protection that would not keep him alive for long, he was alone and barely weened.

The boy child could live a few days at most before his tiny body would succumb to the inevitable and he would starve. A fate that was not intended, a fate seen and known but he could not know that. His young mind only knew he was hungry and alone, not of why he was abandoned in the first place but fate would intervene.

The icy wastes far to the north known as the Hinterlands were home to few inhabitants, Gale kept her own company and far away from others. Darkness did not cloak her well as her scales were bright silver and reflected the light but the icy tundra cloaked in an almost eternal twilight of darkness was her home and she was well camouflaged for the snow.

Gale heard a sound, a sound impossible this far north… that of a crying baby. Being a dragon, Gale was reclusive by nature but she chose to be even more reclusive by living this far north… a baby? It could not be but the sound was heard again, Gale flying high over the snowy tundra lowered herself in altitude to view the ground and search for this noise.

There, near a flat rock peaking out of the ice and snow was a swaddled bundle, light brown skin of arms and legs free of the swaddling but the infants head remained covered. How could the baby have survived? Even a few hours would kill any child except a Sordean child… could it be? And why? Gale did not know but flew forward and alighted on the ground near the infant.

Gently, using one of her massive claws Gale pulled the swaddling from the babes head and sucked in a breath; red eyes. This was a Sordean child, why was he here? Gale instinctively knew the child was male. Sordeans were a cursed race in her opinion, their women bore children in intense pain and many infants died, children were much revered and even their births celebrated… yet here lay a Sordean baby… a boy, even stranger.

Gale felt a pull to the boy child, an innate power awakening in her… this was known to happen but rarely. She, rare even for her own kind was to be connected to this child in some way, an ancient magic even the Ancient Full Breeds such as herself knew little why they had it.

The child would not die Gale decided, something was amiss for a Sordean baby to be abandoned. Gale knew much of the human races of Genivan, six races had been gifted with magic from an ancient race ages ago. Sordeans, Gideans, Zarythians, Taloreans, Eons and Azurians; all had unique magical powers that sustained Genivan and kept the world alive. Gale knew her own ancestors were brought here by the unnamed ancient race, Ancient Full Breeds were as foreign to Genivan as the Ancient Half Breeds but somehow the ancients had intertwined their fates with the six races and this boy child was to be her fate or destiny… Gale did not know. Only that her days of isolation would soon end.

Gently, Gale cradled the boy in her claws, ‘so tiny’ she thought, ‘so innocent, what is your fate child?’ and looked up at the starry night, seeing the expanse of tundra in all directions. He would not die from the cold, she could remain isolated with the boy for sometime, but where to go? Further north Gale decided, farther north then she had been in sometime for dragons could live for centuries.

She would protect him, teach him all that she knew for her knowledge was vast. Whatever fate the boy had, she was also tied to it. As she flew off into the twilight over the tundra of the Hinterlands Gale looked down occasionally, the boy had quit his whimpering and just stared out at the icy wastes. What would she tell him when he began to question who he was? Where he came from? What would she say? What would she not say?

His parents must have known his life was in danger, knowing how much Sordeans revere their children, he must have been seen by an Oracle to have a destiny that threatened those in power. Either the Oracle betrayed his parents and gave this knowledge to those who would seek his death or they knew the foretelling and sought to remove themsleves from it by abandoning the child.

His people could not be trusted, she must keep him from them. Regardless of the sincerity of his parents, those in power in the land of Numis, his people, wanted his death and Gale knew little of the current politics of his land. She could not protect him if he returned, her own isolation after two centuries was a testament to her lack of knowledge of his people.

In ignorance she would have to keep the boy child isolated, if she revealed herself and the boy too soon they would be known throughout the lands because of her and put them in grave danger before he was grown. Silver dragons were so rare, most thought they had disappeared entirely and revealing herself would only heighten the chance. Gale had remained isolated for that reason, she knew she was rare even for a dragon.

How could she find him allies isolated in the north Hinterlands? Gideans who lived in the ocean did not travel over land often, especially not the frozen wastes, they were a fragile people on land and would die after only a few weeks outside of Genivan’s oceans. They rarely involved themselves in the politics of Genivan, except to trade and when their healers are summoned. They would be of no use to a Sordean boy who can’t breath water, he would find no sanctuary in the land of Vastor.

Taloreans are known for their greed and vindictiveness, Gale would never take the boy there, they loath all the races except Azurians. In the land of Ivangar, many go to trade with the Taloreans but they are barely tolerated Gale had been told. No allies could be found with the greedy Taloreans.

The land of Torentia is a beautiful and enchanting place in Genivan, the Azurians who’s land that is are envious and arrogant. Gale doubted they would protect a Sordean child who needed refuge or help, she had been told Azurians see themselves as the true rulers of Genivan but have never had the courage to assert their authority or potentially never had the armies to do so.

Out of all the races of Genivan, Gale knew the least of the Eons. They lived in the deep jungles of their land of Lithe, reclusive and rarely seen. The other races see them as obtuse, hiding knowledge or power. She had heard many such rumors about Eons. Knowing so little and how they may react to a Sordean child, Gale would not take him there either when he was grown.

The only race Gale knew enough about, whom she was sure would protect him and help him was the Zarythians who live far across the ocean on a series of islands they call their land, the land of Amalia. Some Zarythians have an innate magical power known as Jondorian Banes, it is a rare magic when awakened. Contrary to the definition of a bane, they actually give their life for another. The Zarythians as a people are strong willed but more humble than any of the other races. Gale had thought Sordeans shared that humility but times must have changed.

It was decided then, when the boy child grew to a man, Gale would take him to Amalia for protection. Looking down at the boy now, Gale knew her decision was right. He must be protected.

All of Genivan was governed by a delicate magical balance between the planet, its people, the animals and nature. That balance was protected by the magic gifted to the six races. That balance was not unbreakable, as Gale knew from her vast knowledge of the history of Genivan, it had happened before but this time it felt different. A calm before the storm.

One child could not break the balance of Genivan but those who wished the power shifted to them would destroy the world to keep this boy child from his destiny.

Sordeans, land of Numis, City of Dreams of the Tabris Tribe

Bailyan walked quickly, he knew what the Oracles foretelling meant, another death. For four hundred years the Ivory Throne had remained vacant, the Tri-Arch’s had bound the lesser Thrones to bloodlines instead of accomplishments. The Jade, Sapphire and Ruby Thrones where seated their monarchs had become cruel and power hungry, killing any male child who might usurp that power. He was unsure why, had one of the Tri-Archs been given a foretelling? A foretelling not of their liking? Bailyan assumed this was so, women were highly revered but slowly they were becoming tyrants; out of all the races Sordeans had the highest infant mortality.

To even fathom killing a baby, an innocent baby for power was sacrilege! All life was valued in Numis, all Sordeans lives were worthy of protection from their first breath at the Circle of The Mothers ritual to the Dusk Rite with their last breath and laid to rest in the sea.

Bailyan was an Elder Invoker of Tabris, he held sway but precious little as it had been dwindling away over the years. Few would question the Tri-Archs and had not for at least two generations if his research had been accurate. The Ivory Throne was rare to be inhabited but not so rare that four centuries should pass.

It was his own father who had turned him onto the path of mysterious deaths and the disappearance of an occasional male child. All of it leading him to one conclusion; a titanic power struggle would come to the whole of Genivan and it would start with the land of Numis.

Azurians, land of Torentia, City of Four Seasons of the Ruinia Tribe

“Have you found that infernal Halo yet! Blast it man, we must not allow this subterfuge to undermine us!” Dain huffed angrily at his companion.

“Patience, I am not considered for the Stormfire Citadel… yet, as a Prime you know I cannot enter and Halo’s can practically turn invisible! You would do well to remember your status Master Dain” Xon sneered.

Barely containing his furry, Dain bowed to his superior. “As you wish Prime Xon, as it stands what will we do? We have long been friends… this was not a plan hatched between a Master and a Prime but two life long friends with a plan since we were Apprentices at the University of Ruinia, many years Prime Xon, many assassinations, many plans laid to bring us to this point. You seek to belittle me now with rank?” Shaking his head, Dain kept his voice cool and calculated.

“Ever the silver tongue eh? Very well, we will set aside our rank and plan. Will the Sordeans send another Halo?”

“Unknown, I do believe the Halo saw the rosters of reinforcements to our eastern border with more than an eye brow raise…” Dain tried to finish but of course Xon would cut him off! Infuriating!

“Yes, yes, Imperial Malyarkis has proven to be most malleable and sent his five best Cyclonius warriors. A Halo has not visited the capital in a decade, that we know of. Our eastern plan will work, we will slowly remove those infernal Eons.”

“As long as the Sordeans remain ignorant of our inner workings, I will not object to anything further.”

A noise outside the door and Xon quickly grabbed the papers on the table just as the door opened.

“Is that all Master Dain? I do not wish to delay these reports to the Council of Divine Lumis”

“Yes Prime Xon, good day” Dain eyed the newcomer with resentment, ever the rat sneaking in where he didn’t belong. These infernal Omni Guardians Dain loathed, so pompous and arrogant! Dain bowed to his superiors once more and left the room.

“Curious, you would meet with Master Dain, the Orders of Tempris and Avalon rarely work well together, same as their elements are natural enemies; fire and water” Lain spoke with an inner smile, he had been most intrigued about these two; a Prime of the Order of Tempris and a Master of the Order of Avalon… meeting so frequently. Omni Guardians such as himself were neutral to the magical orders, since as an Omni Summoner they were of all Orders.

“Are we not allowed friends Guardian? I would think that cruel, Master Dain and I went through the University together.” Xon dismissed this air headed Guardian, Omni Summoners could have done better than him, irritating fool but innate magic was innate magic and Lain had passed every test.

“Of course Prime, I was only inquiring” With a smile and a noncommittal shrug, Lain left the room. Curious indeed he thought.

Eons, land of Lithe, City of the Oasis of Life, of the Demora Tribe

“Silence!” Trek announced, rumors were abounding and the Council of Demora withering like an oak in the swamp, mentally shaking his head. Events were not that dire, yet. “Elorian Unarkis, stand, speak.”

Unarkis stood taller than most Eons at almost 8 feet tall, every Eon knew his Soul Binding was that of a rare Sabertooth, the rarest Soul Binding to achieve, with a slight smile in Trek’s direction for he knew why he was chosen to speak. As an elder of two centuries and two decades, he held much sway over the Council of Demora.

“Do not be rash, we have but rumors, some more confirmed, many not. The blue children have always been vengeful to us. We know this. I ask now, where is the Guardian? The blue child who sought sanctuary” Unarkis looked around at his fellow Elorians, those who had Soul Bindings and the retired Chieftains who made up the rest of the Council.

“Gone Elorian Unarkis. We searched, we do not know where she is”

“A Bane came looking for a blue child”

“When?”

“Quiet! Speak Chieftain Rhyo” Unkaris demanded. Enough of this prattle, rumors and rumors, he needed facts.

“He came seeking the Azurian Guardian, long after she had disappeared from our land. His magic has awoken, that is all I know Elorian Unarkis” Rhyo quickly seated himself, youngest and newest member of the Council, he was cautious with his words.

“Zarythian Banes have their death prophecy, a blue child, an Azurian must be saved. Two Elorians deaths before two centuries, many young found dead. What of the green children?”

“No word yet, the Chieftain at Denpine will send word soon”

Unarkis knew the Gideans, whom they called green children did not involve themselves in the politics of the land often but if his suspicions were true, the blue children waged a shadow war on them, assassinations and deaths meant to cripple them. Little could be done until the Zarythian Banes prophecy was fulfilled. He also knew more was at work in Genivan as a whole, more turmoil would come and he would help guide the Council and all Eons through it.

“Very well, what movement of the wet tails? They have grown increasingly bold” Unarkis tactfully changed the subject, the other matters would need to be set aside, the attacks from the wet tails had put many Eon Tribes into retreat. Never had they been so bold.

Taloreans, land of Ivangar, City of The Makers of the Halstein Tribe

Gregor ran to the edge of the field, anger and resentment rolling off him in waves. The ground shuddered under his feet ever so slightly from his innate magic that connected all Taloreans to the land of Genivan.

Why would father not believe him? He had heard those Archdukes with a Consul discussing this! This was wrong and he knew it! Taloreans consorting with Naga was an abomination and everyone knew it. Maybe that is why his father refused to believe it, it was so ludicrous of a conspiracy.

What did Eons call Naga? Ah yes, Gregor remembered, wet tails. Seemed a better name for the nasty creatures. He had never seen a Naga before, the only Naga Brood near the land of Ivangar lived in Lake Khol, a gigantic lake that basically separated Talorean land from the northern icy wastes where the Sordeans land was.

His father had a connection, an old friend he had once saved the life of, a Guild Exarch named Ivanfal. He could tell Ivanfal, Taloreans may hate the other races but this was too far to consort with Naga! Gregor had heard the Archdukes and Consul mention huge sums paid to them by an Azurian Prime.

Sighing, Gregor knew why his father refused to believe him and even if he did believe, he would never say anything. They were more than just Dusters, the lowest class in Talorean society, they were marked, by a Bane.

Looking down at his hand where he bore the hated mark. A mark passed down for four generations and for four generations his family had been spit on by even the lowest class, Dusters who worked the land, too poor to buy entry into a trade guild. He knew the story, his great grandfather had been cursed with a rare magic as a boy. Instead of dying from the curse, out of nowhere a Zarythian Bane, a Jondorian Bane Gregor corrected himself, showed up and sacrificed his life for his great grandfather Barry.

Every child born to his great grandfather would bare the mark. Gregor and his sister Ivalia both were marked and outcast. The violet eyed Zarythians were said to live in a land of fire and volcanoes, brutal and blood thirsty… yet what was passed onto him was not blood thirsty at all… it was the epitome of compassion and humility.

Gregor stared out at the land, he knew there was something happening, he could not say exactly what it was but with Taloreans consorting with Naga to undermine Eons, Azurians paying them money to do so… they had also not seen a trade caravan from the Sordeans. Were Taloreans and Azurians undermining them too? Both of their races loathed Sordeans and Zarythians, Gideans were tolerated and treated as if they were one step above Dusters, Eons they wished exterminated and what would happen if all this came to pass?

It was a dire thought and what kept him awake at night, was he to be a pawn or a player? Did this mark mean anything? In past legends, one marked always had a heroic story. Not Gregor and not his family. Maybe, after all these years Genivan was unraveling. It saddened Gregor to even think of such a thing, he knew Genivan could offer them all so much more if they would just put aside their petty rivals and work together.

Petty childhood dreams, Gregor wanted to believe it but he was also a grown man living as an exile, banished because he and his sister were marked. They still walked into town but they were as ghosts and under a constant threat to have their throats slit one night. Gregor wished for unity, but reality was truth and that truth was bitter and harsh.

Zarythians, land of Amalia, City of the Shinning Walls of the Jurist Tribe

Ionia read from the Chronicles out loud to her young brother Falanir:

“When the ancients arrived, all manner of beasts were with them; unicorns, firebirds, wyvern…”

Before Ionia could continue the list of Ancient Full Breeds, little Falanir interrupted. “And dragons! A white one sister? Was there a white one?” Bubbling with excitement, Ionia knew her little brother adored dragons.

Ruffling his hair “Of course! White, black, multicolored. All of them came” she smiled kindly at Falanir. Just at that moment their mother called for Falanir, it was his turn to set the table for dinner. “Off you go! Tomorrow I will read more to you”

“Promise?” Falanir pleaded.

“Of course! Off with you now!”

Ionia shook her head and mentally kept reading the list of Ancient Full Breeds ‘dragons, basilisk and okami’, if he had waited one more second his beloved dragons would have been named.

As soon as Falanir had gone, her joy turned to ash. Her father had been awakened as a Jondorian Bane, she knew as all Zarythians knew it was an honor to have the magic awakened but she couldn’t help the pain she felt. Ionia adored her father. She wanted him here and to remain alive until she married, had children and him the adoring grandfather…

Tears threatened in her eyes, quickly wiping them away, Ionia knew no tears were allowed, only joy and contentment. She felt none of that, she was angry that of all the races, they would sacrifice themselves for the others. The others who thought they were blood thirsty and viscous, all because they lived on an island with a volcano.

Ionia couldn’t help but wonder how it had started? The races were not so divided after the ancients visited, sure they had land parceled out to them, land they had to conquer from the Minotaurs, Giants and Naga but still, where had the hate arisen from?

Only Gideans, after an extremely long journey around the mainland of Genivan ever visited regularly and only for trade. Their aversion to land was well known, they were a sea people. Sordeans visited occasionally, mostly it would be a Seer, different from an Oracle who could see the lives of only the human races of Genivan and their futures. Her people summoned Seers who could divine meaning from the land and weather. It was rarely needed to summon a Sordean Seer.

Azurians had come in the past, many generations ago she had been told but why they no longer came Ionia did not know. Taloreans were incredibly sick on water but delegations had been sent in the past to their most northern island, Thyan Island. Short journey over water for Taloreans but that hadn’t occurred for a similar amount of time. Ionia felt as if the other races were purposely trying to keep Zarythians isolated, disconnected from the mainland.

Was this also happening to Gideans? They rarely involved themselves, but they are apart of the balance of Genivan. Ionia could only guess but her heart told her something was amiss, besides Eons, her people were the strongest warriors in all of Genivan. Was that the key? Keep the Zarythians ignorant so the others could work their mischief?

Ionia and her father had spent countless hours discussing these potentials, he was the only one who didn’t scoff at her notions or misgivings. Again an ache crept into her heart, how she missed her father!

Wiping fresh tears from her face, Ionia vowed to never stop questioning and to seek the truth. Even if it meant leaving Amalia… She would honor her father in this way, she couldn’t do it by sitting on this rock crying. His magic as a Bane was meant for destiny, a fate sealed to him before he was even born and Ionia would honor that blood binding of their magic and to Genivan. To never stop until she found the truth.

Gideans, land of Vastor, The Silver Flower City of the Maisk Tribe

“Your highness, he has still not returned nor can be found” Mal stood rigid with arms clasped behind his back, a mere formality but he did it also to hide his fear.

“I understand your brother Jiren is supposedly missing, four months is it?” The king replied absent minded.

“Four months, three weeks and twelve days. We must send a delegation to find him. I pose this to you first, your highness but my proposal will be heard before the War Council tomorrow.” Every Gidean knew the true power in the land of Vastor lay with the War Council and not the monarch of the Silver Crown, whom absent mindedly mended plants on this patio. Mal had known King Dorn before he was crowned, they had both been young and green around the gills as Peers for their mandatory service at the Preservers of Maisk School. Dorn had ever been on different tides, a mind never truly there. Still, his backing could hold weight.

“Elite Commander, your brother, an accomplished Diadem has either died in the Shadowlands of exposure or is yet still alive, doing his job” King Dorn looked up with that statement, was it meant as an insult? Mal didn’t know but his brother must be found! Mal turned and walked from the room, to the deep trench with courtesy!

The rumors coming in from the Order of Shadowlanders and those rare warriors who went to the surface as escort from the Legion of Shiverbane had brought back news Mal knew was important. He also knew his brother was not doing his job, he had been sent to spy out the politics of the land, to make is way from Denpine in the land of Lithe, to Evannar an eastern border town of Torentia where much activity was reported. That border is shared by Eons and Azurians and ever there has been bad blood between them.

After Evannar, his brother was to travel along the trade routes the Azurians use to the land of Ivangar, to Balerno a small town near the pass to the south lands. Gideans know much of the information relayed between the lands passes by Balerno, from there he was to take the Humson Tributary north to the small coastal town of Islesbery. The water would do him good and his own people would not be far in The Misty Isles. Last was to stop at Wolford, that town of the Taloreans had fallen many times, the Taloreans blamed the Sordeans for not helping to keep the town in tact. It was an old rivalry but if the town still stood, news from the Sordeans would be found there.

No Gidean would last more than an hour in the snowy tundra of the land of Numis, they traded with the Sordeans but only at their most eastern town of Carvok Steppe where the resident Invokers kept a platform heated just for the occasion. His brother Jiren knew this information was imperative, he would not just set it aside or expose himself too long and die! Never!

The Shadowlands indeed, a name used since Gideans were first gifted their magic from Maisk. Out of all the races, Gideans were the shortest, they were the strongest with the best senses… but only in water. To a Gidean, the upper land was in perpetual shadows because their vision was so poor; hence the nickname of Shadowlands. His brother had trained and been found to have exceptional healing magic and earned the rank of Diadem, he had trained for years to be able withstand the shadowlands. Mal had been found to be warrior instead of healer, different paths for twin brothers.

Twins are a rarity in Genivan, their births had been celebrated for weeks, he and Jiren. He knew his brother was alive, a connection they both had. Jiren also shared his misgivings. Naga had become bold, more bold than usual attacking Gideans but strangely Jiren had heard the Eons were also buckling under their assault… Naga never work together, never! They battle each other as frequently as the human races of Genivan.

The Taloreans were devising something, a machine Jiren had told Mal, something to render trade with Gideans no more. They needed trade with Taloreans, only they could forge with metal, no one else could. Taloreans have an innate magic for the gems and metals of Genivan, trade must continue! Mal could not understand why the Taloreans would do such a thing? Gideans and Zarythians were the most reliant on Taloreans for their magic to work or be amplified.

What did it all mean? Azurians certainly had a plan to wipe out the Eons, every race knew but had for generations turned a blind eye. Eons were reclusive which made them appear arrogant but Jiren had told him they were a humble people that cared for the balance of life, animals and revered Gideans ability to heal sickness in their jungle.

Why would any of the races seek to destroy the balance of Genivan? Greed or power Mal supposed. All he knew was his brother was missing, a dull ache in his heart. To the dark abyss with the King! He would propose not only to find his brother but lay out all his suspicions… with a plan of action. Gideans were apart of this world too and they would not be ignorant to the Shadowlands politics!

As the tides of politics and war shift and turn ever to darker times, the world of Genivan will buckle and the land will suffer.

A dragon has found a baby, his destiny sealed.

A young Omni Guardian will be found and saved by a Bane.

A young man, marked by a Bane will soon know his true fate.

An elder Invoker will have to decide, life or death for his people.

A Prime and Master will turn the tide.

An elder Elorian will die and a younger will take his place.

A Diadem walks alone in shadows.

A young girl will make her own fate, far from her land.