Son of Ereubus (44 page)

Michael dismounted and found his way back to where Garren was standing. He was leaning against the tree, his chest heaving as he took in air in shortened breaths.

“I’m sorry, Michael.” His face was pale. He leaned back over and threw up again.

“You owe no apologies.”

Garren spit to the side and wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. “He’s right. Everything he has said is true. I have become everything that my father hated — everything that brought loathing and dread into my mother’s heart.” He closed his eyes and rested his head against his hand.

“Your father shares your past, Garren. Do not forget that. He made the same change that you have made. He would know your footsteps intimately.” Michael placed his hand on the tree next to Garren’s face, and leaned in. “Who better to understand what you’re going through?”

Garren rolled his head on his hand to look at Michael. He said nothing for a long time. “I couldn’t have done it, Michael.” He closed his eyes, and almost appeared as though he was about to be sick again, but let out a slow, purposeful breath instead. “I would rather die than even imagine Ariana in those circumstances. Why didn’t my father force her to leave?”

Duncan’s voice behind them surprised Garren, who still had his eyes closed, causing him to jump. “He tried.” Duncan cleared his throat, and looked away from them. “He loved Indeara and had no interest in her suffering, but she was unwilling to leave his side, no matter the cost. Gabriel did everything in his power to protect her while they were in the outer courts, but his ability to guard her was limited once Eidolon became more familiar with our generation of Braeden. He couldn’t save her from everything. I remember well the day your father died. Gabriel mourned him as if he were of our realm. Of our brethren.”

Michael could tell that Duncan was only speaking out of respect for his wishes, but it was appreciated nonetheless.

“I know that Tadraem killed my mother. What I don’t know are the circumstances behind it.”

Michael was surprised to hear Garren ask. His words were faint, as if he did not want to hear the answer. Duncan glanced at Michael, almost asking permission to tell him. Garren spoke before Michael had a chance to give an answer. “Knowing won’t change anything, but it will put such questions to rest for me.”

“Indeara was given no preferential treatment and stayed mainly beyond the dividing wall. Tadraem discovered your father’s connections with our realm, and came to your mother when she was alone. Gabriel halted Tadraem before he had chance to rape her, which was his intention after having savagely beaten her, but he was too late to save her from her injuries. Gabriel never told your father it was Tadraem who’d done it because he felt Seth had suffered enough, and to reveal that it was his brother would be too much to bear. Even then, Seth never recovered from it.”

Garren sank to the ground, his legs giving way beneath him. He lowered his head into his hands.

Michael was almost too stunned to speak. “Tadraem is your uncle?”

Garren shook his head, still peering down to the ground. It appeared to be more out of disbelief than denial.

“Let me guess,” Michael looked at Duncan, “something else my father asked you to keep to yourself?”

“No.” Duncan’s words were sincere. “Michael, I genuinely thought he knew.”

Garren raised his head, a horrified look on his face. “I was always told that he was a close confidant of my father’s.”

Michael had more to learn about Eidolon than he thought. How could Garren not know this?

Duncan answered as if he’d read his mind. “Family is of little consequence in Eidolon, outside of simply dividing humans from the Ereubinians. Unless Tadraem or another family member told him, he wouldn’t have known. I am guessing by your reaction that you don’t have any other immediate relatives living?”

Garren again shook his head. “No. My grandmother was the parent of lineage, and she died before I was born. Tadraem told me she died while my father was still a child. I had no idea he was talking about his own mother. Why would he have kept this from me?”

Duncan dismounted as he answered. “Considering your birth and that he knew you were of our realm, I would say it was to keep you indebted to him. Taking you in out of obligation would have held different weight than believing him to have done it out of respect and admiration for Seth. He could have also been told not to tell you.”

Michael turned toward Duncan. “What do you mean?”

“I am not certain that Tadraem is the only one who knows about Garren’s true lineage.”

Garren nodded. “As I said in the council meeting, Ciara must know. Why else would she have thought it possible to take a human army beyond your borders if she didn’t know that I am able to pass through unaccompanied? There has been talk of the chosen one.”

Michael rubbed his chin with his hand. “Then Ciara believes the time of the Oni has come?”

“It’s not a prophecy that is widely read in our realm, but I have read it and at one time believed it to be true. And there are sects within Middengard that have revived the old faith.” Garren looked away. “But what does she want from Ariana, from me?”

Neither Michael nor Duncan had an answer for this. Michael walked back to his horse, taking the reins in his hands. “Perhaps she fears Ariana could defeat the Oni? I truly don’t know.”

Duncan walked over to Garren and, to Michael’s wonder, he reached out his hand to help him to his feet.

“I won’t offer my hand again if you refuse it.”

Garren took his hand, uncomfortably rising.

“We’re lingering too long here. I can feel it.” Michael said, looking around them. The air felt thick and stiff. They mounted their horses and continued on, a shadow of things to come looming in the distance.

E
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G
LOSSARY

Adoria:
Realm of the Adorians, it is protected by a mystical divide that allows entry only for those of Adorian blod. All others pass over it as if Adoria did not exist.

Adorian Divide:
The divide between the realm of Adoria and Middengard. Little is known about when it came into existence or how the magic works. Only those of Adorian blood, be it full or half, are able to cross over without aid; all others pass through it as if Adoria didn’t exist.

Adorian Knight:
Winged Adorian warriors, trained in the Iidolis.

Aidolis:
Home of the Braeden.

Arcadia:
Twin city to Eidolon, once ruled by Irial and Èanna. The first human soul was taken just beyond the gates by Ereubus, who was then banished to the Immortal Labyrinth by Èanna.

Arch Elders:
Elected leaders of the twenty-four provinces of Adoria who reside in Cyphrus and convene with the Archorigen.

Archorigen:
Elected sovereign of Adoria. This position was created by the last king at the dawn of The Age of Guardians.

Artesh:
Home of Adoria’s main university.

Azrian:
The Dark Lord of Hothrendaire, he once ruled the realm of light. His fall tore an irreparable hole in the fabric of existence.

Bedowyn:
Orphaned Adorian children, most of whom serve in Cyphrus.

Braeden:
Elite Adorian warriors, chosen at birth for service to Middengard, whose wings were removed at birth. Trained from infancy, they were taught in the art of warfare and the customs of the human realm. Deadly accurate in their ability to both wield a sword and shoot a bow, they held off the total depravity of man for centuries.

Braeden Underground:
Tunnels forged below Eidolon that are protected in the same way as Adoria itself. The tunnels origins are also unknown.

Breeders:
Humans, both male and female, chosen to continue the lineage of St. Ereubus.

Creator:
Also referred to as Father, Father of Light or His Beloved. He is never referred to by name because legend holds that his name is unspeakable by all but his own child, Èanna. Both Adoria and Middengard once worshipped him as the creator of all life, but after Ciara’s entrance into Middengard, all mention of the “Adorian God” was forbidden.

Cyphrus:
Capitol of Adoria

Dark Goddess:
The immortal Ciara who betrayed the creator by siding with Azrian.

Èanna:
The Father’s only daughter.

Eidolon:
Once the heart of Middengard, Eidolon became home to the Ereubinians after Arcadia, its twin city, was destroyed.

Ereubinians:
Gifted by the Dark Goddess with the power to steal the souls of other men, they rule Middengard. Also known as the blessed or The Lineage.

Garden of Dedication:
Winter Garden in Adoria where a statue is erected in memoriam of every fallen city in Middengard.

High Lord:
The Laionai’s chosen servant, the High Lord holds dominion over every Ereubinian ruler in Middengard.

High Priest:
Considered the voice of the Goddess, the High Priest is the position directly below the High Lord. Directs the activities in Observance and holds power over the vessels who have been chosen in service of the Goddess at the Temple.

Hothrendaire:
The Dark Realm, opposite of the Realm of Light and home to Azrian.

Iidolis:
School for the Adorian Knights.

Laionai:
Once kings of Man, they chose sides with the Dark Goddess upon her entrance into Middengard and were cursed by the Father. Now they speak and act as one consciousness. They see through the Mortal Coil and the Moriors.

Lycus:
Northern realms of Middengard.

Middengard:
The realm of Man. Ruled primarily by the Ereubinians who took control of it at the end of the first age of war. Eidolon is its capital city.

Morior:
Creatures ruled through command of the Laionai, they are rumored to be gifts to the Goddess from the Dark Lord.

Mortal Coil:
Made of collected human souls, the Mortal Coil is held beyond the inner sanctum of the temple in Eidolon. In it is every memory, every feeling, every instance of pain or pleasure felt by any stolen soul.

Observance:
Ereubinian religious ceremony.

Old World:
Adorian structures that predate the first Age of War.

Oni:
The Chosen one, prophesied to take his place at the right hand of Darkness once the whole of Middengard has been enslaved to the Goddess.

Ordakai:
Servants to the Laionai, they are childlike in stature and appear to be genderless.

Palingard:
Once Èanna’s favorite place for solitude, it became a city after the first age of war and is eventually the last stronghold of Middengard.

Realm of Light:
Home of the Father.

Ruiari:
Known once for its attention to the arts, Ruiari was once a thriving epicenter of culture and trade.

Sacred Chalice:
Blessed by the Goddess herself, it holds the sacrificial wine used in Observance.

Sacrificial Garments:
Worn by the vessels and The Lineage, each color signifies role and rank. White is reserved for Breeders, red for vessels in service to the Goddess, black for Ereubinian hierarchy, gold for sacrifice.

Saeculum:
Temple in Adoria, partially underground, that predates any known Adorian history.

Saint Ereubus:
Gave up his soul in exchange for the power to take the souls of all others: Known as the father to The Lineage.

Sword of Saint Ereubus:
Known by the immortals as the Sword of Eternal Death, it has the power to kill an immortal. Created by Azrian.

Temple of the Goddess:
Forged of Adorian stone, it was once a place for worship of the Father. After Eidolon is taken over it becomes a place for worship of the Dark Goddess.

The Ancients:
The first Adorians in recorded history.

The Fall:
Refers to the forging of the Sword of Eternal Death by Azrian and the event where he took the life of his brother’s beloved and thereby created the second realm of substance, Hothrendaire, by tearing a hole in the fabric of existence.

The Immortals:
Immortal beings placed in the created realms by the Father to tend to the creatures who inhabit them. Each of the immortals was given a gift that aided in the forming of the created worlds.

The Lineage:
Also referred to as the Blessed—any human of Ereubinian descent.

The Prophecy:
Origin unknown and feared by humans and Adorians, The Prophecy speaks of the coming of the Oni.

Torradh:
Adorian funeral.

Vessels:
Soulless humans.

Wardens:
Ereubinians chosen to live among the humans and oversee their servitude.

White Dragon:
Depicted throughout Ereubinian and Adorian history, The White Dragon is assumed to be another form of the Dark Goddess Ciara.

Look for books two and three in the
Guardians of Legend trilogy to be released

Winter 2011 and 2012.

B
LOOD OF
A
DORIA,
B
OOK
T
WO

N
OVEMBER
2011

E
TERNAL
R
EQUIEM,
B
OOK
T
HREE

N
OVEMBER
2012