Series: Echoes of War — 1: Memories «

Weary

Burdens My body is as light as the wind, as we race through the sky. The Krale are gone, and the Bizra will soon return to these skies and the streets of our cities.

The world feels endless, rich with freedom and possibility. Until thoughts of the future return, and weigh me down.

The [...]

Fields of War

Barren Lands Chiwan is not home when I arrive, but I find a message waiting for me.

“Find me, Yagrin, before you release the old ones.”

How does he know? Did Shazira contact him?

I check the timestamp on the message, and discover that the message was recorded an hour before I left the [...]

Golden Circle

First Circle I touch the beautiful polished stone of the training circle. Unchanged in a thousand years.

The circle is quiet. Chiwan and I stand here alone, far below ground, in the immense cavern. The stone circle is warm, and the air sweet.

Chiwan knows of twenty training patterns out of hundreds, or thousands. [...]

Spinning Sword

Flying High We fly together from the barren lands toward Tshuan. You can see a person’s heart by watching how high they fly.

Some fly close to the ground, just high enough to clear obstacles. They fly, but they’re afraid that if they get too far from the ground, they’ll never be able to [...]

Far Away

Last Vat Keela and Chiwan walk with me through the clearing, with the hills of Tshuan high around us. The warm, moist climate nourishes the hills like a caring mother, and fills them with life.

Wicol, thick, and deep green, rises along the hills. Later in the year, each plant will blossom with dozens [...]

Walls of Light

Rain My Bizra body is so far away. I see it floating in the vat, but I can’t reach it.

When I was an old one, it was easy to wake up from the vat. Not this time.

I hear Niyta calling me, and I start to feel my body. My eyes won’t open, [...]

The Eighth Hill My Jiku eyes adjust quickly to the bright sunlight. It’s wonderful to see the sky again, and this open, endless world, but I turn my attention back to freeing the old ones. They don’t have much time.

I scan the hills around me, looking for a place to grow another hill.

[...]

Sword, Sheath, and Shield

Families Makish and I land on the deck of the Watchtower outside the healing room. As I walk through the door, Tzina hugs me tightly.

“I missed you so much, Ina,” she says.

I smile at her. “I was only gone for a day!”

“I know,” she says, “but I was lost in my [...]

Children of War

Forever Young Berek and I wear the same style party robes, but in different colors. I’m not used to so much color, but it’s common in Tshuan.

This elegant pattern of cobalt blue, gold, and black caught me, the moment I first saw it. The fabric weighs almost nothing.

Why am I here at [...]

A Wave of Flowers

Dream Stage “The dream begins,” announces a woman’s voice. The stadium lights dim, and we find ourselves in a large cave filled with fog.

“What is this, Keela?” I whisper.

“Illusion, master Yagrin.” “The stadium is still here, but you can’t see it.”

“The performers have built a stream of three-dimensional images and experiences [...]

The Heart Fountain