Portents of a Weeping World

Map of the West

Chapter 1

On the eventide did all labor end. After a day of hard work, after a day of toil and sweat, a day of harvest and labor, Daeon rested. Near the rivers and ponds did he sit and gaze, for the moon was nigh and bright, beautiful and scarcely seen through clouds born from mountains close. Every day glowed with warmth, every tree and blade of grass cast cooling shadows, and every stream passed the purest of water along the toes of those seeking refreshment. Daeon dreamed dreams of a contented heart. His mind surrendered the lucid, surrendered the chains of work, worrying not of time or bothersome tasks whilst he slept under the luster of moon and water, each reflecting the other in harmony.

Daeon lived alone, a life of chosen privacy. He farmed his own land and left markets immediately after trading goods. His small crop was for cattle, such did he regularly require food for his own stomach from within the town near his home. Many believed him forming thoughts of discord in his seclusion throughout the years, for he would avoid at all cost speech of mind or creed when questioned during his errands. Others respected his withdrawal from the task that social disputes presented. Regardless, all such matters were but drudgery to Daeon, and he would be contented solely by returning to his homestead with little disruption by the end of each passing day.

Arising early for the morning after a well-rested slumber, Daeon prepared his harvest for the market. This time he wouldn’t be purchasing merely a simple day’s worth of supplies with what provisions his hands had grown, but some extra also for a journey. Straightforward and content was he in his life, yet it was on this day that he desired an anomaly. Although Daeon was not the most curious of fellows, his heart was aching for something beyond Harnam, beyond the town where he had dwelt for the entirety of his life.

Upon approaching the market, Daeon headed towards Brisle, a seller of oddities and craft. Brisle was one of the few nonnative residents within the gates of Harnam, and he brought with him often the most arbitrary of objects to sell. Few could hold good company with Daeon, and among their count was Brisle, for his wondrous tales of outlying lands were many, his mind a tome of good knowledge, and his heart a paragon. Such qualities enthralled the simple farmer.

Good morn to you, Daeon, greeted the tradesman, his alabaster hair glistening in the rising sunlight crimson,Yea, what brings the son of Dan to the interest of ancient works and curious wares?

I seek travel, and perhaps a tome with which to read near a simple lake low, or a peaceable forest high, high in the mountains perhaps, replied Daeon, slowly staring towards austral lands, dreaming in his mind what his heart so yearned. Perhaps the sierras great can wait. They remain far, and wary would I become of my abode left alone for too long a time. Just a simple book would suffice, for my travel this day shall be likewise.

Ah, very well, Brisle began searching through his merchandise, and continued, Here is a tome I came upon from the eastern far. May it suit you well. Now, this hour I assume you won’t be staying in the market long, though there is a feast to be had midday that is to be hosted by the Lord himself of Harnam. I would invite you, though I believe I know the answer already.

O, friend of mine, said Daeon, You know me well, for never have I been enthralled by festivities.

Such is a doleful thing to hear every time I speak to you of such possible fellowship. Verily, often I learn many a thing when delving into the art of company, replied Brisle, smiling so and placing a hand upon the shoulder of Daeon. You yourself could stand to exist beyond your home and harvest, young Daeon. Regardless, I see it well that you’re traveling beyond Harnam. Go forth and take the path that binds this heart of yours.

The two finished their business with one another, and Daeon placed his new book into a leather bag. Although the day was still young, a crowd was slowly gathering forth preparing for the noontide feast to come. Daeon therefore hastened his errands upon the arrival of increasingly larger crowds, desiring to avoid further invitations to a celebration he wished to ignore.

And so, soon after Daeon had reached his home from the market, the ninth hour of the day had come. That summer breeze he remembered from past days had awakened from its slumber, and the world about him was rising and bustling. Daeon gathered up a satchel containing his book and supplies, feeling certain it enough to travel a week’s time. Therefore with all things prepared, he began austral, and with the blessings of the earth upon him it seemed, for the birds followed, and the winds pushed him gently along his path.

The midday was gone, and the fourth hour of noon had come. Daeon had travelled far into woods and beyond call of thrush. With his journey fair, and heart set, he smiled and hummed along his way.

It was then that quite suddenly while Daeon walked, beyond mind and sight, a voice spoke from behind, deep in tongue and speech, Hello, traveller.

The voice, which when turned to face showed but tree and shrub. Daeon, with eyes gazing upon nothing, turned to face the path ahead once more, revealing the source of sound coming from an empty space, a shadow cast where light ought reflect.

Daeon spoke forth unto the creature, and backed behind a tree with eyes closely knit upon the figure, What is this before me? No shadow I know speaks.

The murky pitch moved forth towards Daeon with sedate and slight.

The being responded with its own desire, disregarding the challenge, Tell me so, wherein lies the Lord of this land?

The voice was calming, and the creature moved forth again. Daeon backed away to match its approach. The shadow, though in speech showing traits of the equable and peaceful, was terrible, and shriveled leaf and grass in its wake.

Daeon answered what he could gather in the midst of the supernatural sight, The Lord of Harnam do you mean? He does not rule the woods and hills, merely the stones and gates of his city boreal.

Again the shadow responded, half acknowledging the words of Daeon, Very well.

And it moved past Daeon with the speed of wind and rain towards his origin, towards Harnam. Daeon was quite shaken, for the shadow left a trail of dread in his heart. He sat upon the trunk of a tree closest to him and took breaths of the deep. Opening the book he received from Brisle, he realized it was written in foreign tongue, much to his chagrin for not bothering to check beforehand. He sighed and stared at the firmament high, which seemed darker to him than skies ought to after the fourth hour of midday.

With breath caught and mind collected, Daeon heard the steps of human feet. He gazed intently to their origin. The thought of one that may have understanding of the strange beast was comforting. Coming forth was a figure unlike any Daeon had seen before, unlike the townsfolk and farmers he had grown to know. Before him stood a man a head over anyone of height, clad in bright metal, and with finest cloth hooded and caped. The figure saw Daeon and removed his hood, showing a face of toil and soot, wrought with an age of struggle, and an age of ponderation.

He spoke, and his voice carried through the oak deeply wooded, and grass thickly bladed, Wanderer, a trail of night lies before this path, what of it know you?

To the withered flora did the man beckon, and Daeon told what he knew, A being spoke where but a shadow did lie. It asked of this land’s Lord, and I spoke of Harnam, for that city is closest to any place of reign and throne that I am familiar. It left and sped boreal to whence I came, the man before him listened intently whilst Daeon continued, This being was a shock to my spirits, what other than earthen folk speak?

The heightened stranger walked forward whilst responding, his eyes wielding the fires of darkest amber, I am sorry for I do not know its kind or origin, but it is dangerous. Daeon held thoughts of worry and concern, and the speaker continued, I would ask you to assist me in traveling to Harnam if you so choose. I dare say there is less time than one may think.

Daeon, speaking, nodded and turned to face his olden trail, How dangerous? he asked the towering man, And what might I call you? I am Daeon, son of Dan, farmer in Harnam. I’ve never seen anyone of your stature or armor.

I am Alcros, a servant, and you do not recognize my blood for these lands are not my home. The beast I seek and you have survived has left a chain of ill and ice upon these lands. I must discover its drive and purpose. Shapes that reflect night are not spontaneous, they have a purpose, and often that purpose holds the same blood of the skin they so bare. Yea, to the vile and pitch I fear.

Daeon tried his best to understand, but his world was small, and several happenings beyond his understanding had taken place. Whilst he led Alcros through wood and shrub, his curiosity lessened, and the silence of words was overcome by the fleeting steps of the farmer and the man who followed close behind.

When the day had passed, so had the forest whilst Daeon and Alcros reached the gates of Harnam. Torches were lit throughout, for time had reached the night, although the sky was blacker than it ought to be.

A guard spoke from above gate and stone, Ho! Such hour! Who seeks entrance when stars are lit and awakened?

Daeon responded high towards the top of the gate, Son of Dan, and traveling familiar!

The guard cared not for Daeon’s answer and spoke again, By the Lord’s order, none may enter hither!

Alcros, distressed, spoke quietly to Daeon, If this is unnatural for the town you know, I would say that the ill I spoke of before has been brought within these walls. Alcros beckoned Daeon follow him past view of torch and guard. He spoke low again, Know you a path to reach inside the city’s walls?

Daeon thought and went quickly around the stone and gate, along the walls and through the thinly wooded. Alcros went the same and discovered a doorway under thorn and barb that Daeon motioned him towards.

Through the nightly darkened city went peoples twofold: one on mission of investigation, and one with leave most interrupted. It was then that Daeon reached Alcros’ goal, and towards the hall of Harnam’s Lord went they.

When Daeon reached the doorway guarded, Alcros spoke to the soldiers standing therein, Has a shadow knocked upon these doors? Has a darkness entered these halls?

The soldiers looked upon each other, and one spoke forth, Night has fallen early, the Lord has decreed odd and ail. His flesh sits upon the throne, yet his mind is of another place. Know you of this? He has commanded we send all unto their abode and away, yet no decree of this nature has passed these halls for an age.

Alcros stepped forward towards the door and commanded them, I shall enter these halls and see what binds your Lord. A blackened pitch has traversed the wood and plane for a goal I do not know, and I intend to relieve the unknown. Enter with me, and hold tight that which I challenge, do not let go.

Alcros entered with the soldiers, and Daeon slowly followed, but with small distance between. The hour was approaching midnight, yet the Lord of Harnam still sat upon his throne, and much shadow surrounded him, straining him, binding him. His eyes bore flames beyond the pitch and beheld Alcros and the soldiers following.

He cried out with a weary heart, The blackness fastens this flesh of mine! To oblivion my heart is plagued! To night my soul is held! To spurn my blood is wrought! Harken the bog that boils from the pot of shadowed wick and blackest flame! Hear its call, I can stand before its might no more!

The soldiers ran away from the hall in soaring fear.

Alcros seized a torch placed upon a pillar and yelled high and deep, power was his tongue, and might were his words, Behold clout and flame, blight of perdition!

And Alcros cast the torch he held with great power at the shadow circling Harnam’s Lord. The wood and flame erupted and shook the halls of stone, and the beast surrounding did cry out and pierce the ears of all who dared stand before it. The pillars trembled and the ceiling high did shatter before the shadow, its speed was an arrow towards sky and stars. The Lord of Harnam collapsed onto the floor of stone and cold whilst chains of the mind were loosened and felled, yet not destroyed.

Alcros then knelt by his side and spoke calmly, Fetters and shackles be ruined. Your flesh is secure, your soul entire. Unfasten your heart to the elysian peace. Marshal the enigma in your mind to order that the blight has so plagued. You are safe.

Collecting his shattered thoughts, the Lord of Harnam looked up upon Alcros and spoke softly, The good I have done is undone, the evil I have fought has been loosed. Though your words give simple peace to me alone, Harnam will be forsaken to the wild end. We are fallen and ripe for destruction and chaos.

Alcros pulled him close and stared beyond his eyes, beyond his flesh, and uttered command and requirement, Do not speak to me of doom, speak what can aid your people! What has this shadow said unto you? What deals of the night and pitch did it dispense forth?

The Lord of Harnam responded with eyes widened, Before that beast was I told to kneel, before no other end did it bring me.

Alcros broke his gaze and looked upon the rubble of ceiling stone, speaking to himself, Such a beast demands servitude, and not death? I do not believe this true.

The Lord of Harnam shook his head and continued his tale, Aye to serve another was its call. That this city bow to a king far was its creed.

Upon hearing this, Daeon came forward from the shadow of stone and pillar.

He spoke, and Alcros listened, A king? There are no kings in this land. One would need travel far to find a ruler of such authority.

Alcros nodded in agreement, yet his face showed high worriment.

The Lord of Harnam did then continue, I resisted the shadow’s demand, and I was defeated. My mind was chained and he swayed my decrees. Whosoever its king may be is far more powerful if its might alone can reach beyond the strength within my blood. Had I knelt and thus perhaps saved my people, all things herein vile may have never occurred.

Alcros’ tongue broke forth, Enough! Hold your oath to these walls, do not waver. Rest and thrust the gloom of your mind to dust. Daeon, let us speak alone.

Daeon left the hall of Harnam’s Lord and led Alcros to his abode beyond the walls of city and rock. The hour was rather late, but such commotion and happenings of the unnatural had shaken Daeon’s mind such that slumber was far from his flesh’s desire.

Under candlelight dim and fireplace bright, Alcros and Daeon sat at a table and held discussion whilst partaking in water.

Daeon spoke after swallowing a mouthful, So you are to then go and investigate further this king who sends shadows to be his emissaries? Is more danger to be had here in Harnam because of what has happened?

Alcros turned his wavering eyes to Daeon and responded, "Yea verily, the business of kings lies with a friend, and unto this learned host will my questions be presented. There is a great wicked work here I feel, and alone I will fail to bring it into light. It is only through consultation of the wiser that I may receive the best of guidance and tools. I suggest we rest and continue