The Alterra Histories: The Fire King
Read The Alterra Histories: The Fire King Online
Authors: C. S. Marks
THE FIRE KING
BY
C
.
S
.
MARKS
The Fire King
The characters and events this book are entirely fictional. No similarity between any of the names, characters, persons, and/or institutions in this book with those of any living or dead person or institutions is intended, and any such similarity which may exist is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by C. S. Marks, Iron Elf, LLC
Cover Art and Illustrations by Hope Hoover
Edited by Leslie Wainger
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the author.
Published by Parthian Press, all rights reserved
ISBN: 978-0-9859182-1-7
The Author’s Website
Contents
Prologue: The History of the Fire-heart
FOREWORD
In the course of writing an involved, epic fantasy in a complex fictional world, there are other stories suggested and many characters about whom little is known. These characters stimulate reader curiosity, and their tales should be told. So, why not tell them? I decided to try my hand at writing a series of novellas, The Alterra Histories, each concerning a different historical event or character, beginning with The Fire King.
This accomplishes three objectives: first, it gives the current readership a new story to enjoy while they are waiting for the re-release of the Elfhunter trilogy and the new Alterran series, the Undiscovered Realms. Second, it gives potential new readers an introduction to the world of Alterra. Third, it allows me to explore the life of one of my favorite Elves, Aincor Fire-heart, while playing with some of my favorite themes—love, tolerance, humility, and what motivates people to behave as they do.
I also have the chance to showcase the outstanding work of cover artist/illustrator Hope Hoover and editor Leslie Wainger, both of whom will hopefully be lending their skills to future books.
For your convenience I have included a glossary at the back of the novella (as always). This should be especially helpful to those not familiar with fantasy literature.
I now invite you all to enter the gates of Tal-elathas—whether you are coming to Alterra for the first time or you are returning to familiar lands and old friends—to discover the history of Aincor, the first High King. Welcome, or welcome back!
—C.S. Marks
Elfhunter, Fire-heart, Ravenshade
Tales of Alterra: Undiscovered Realms
The Alterra Histories
Prologue: The History of the Fire-heart
Aincor Fire-heart was arguably the most perfect creation ever to draw breath in the world of Alterra. At least, that was his opinion.
One could not blame him for being arrogant given his mysterious origins, his near-invincibility, and the many grandiose tales springing from his various deeds. There is such a thing as having too many gifts.
Aincor had been born to independence; no one is certain even of his parentage, other than as an Elf of the Èolar—the great warrior-scholars. He had been found as an infant and fostered in the chilly northern lands near the western sea by the ancestors of the Tuathar, the legendary Northmen. At the dawning of the First Reckoning the Tuathar knew little of Elves, for they did not venture far from their homelands. They were only then beginning to make records of history and lore.
The Northmen were instructed by Duinar, their Asarla, who had been slowly bringing them forth from the savagery in which he had found them. The wise and mysterious Asari, semi-divine beings whose power was meant to bring enlightenment and knowledge, were also known as “Magic-users”. They had taken up residence primarily in the Elven- realms, for Men, in the early days, were more animal than human. Yet they showed great promise, which Duinar had recognized. Now they were stepping forward into the enlightenment he offered them.
While the Asari were charged with the task of bringing enlightenment, they had a formidable foe in the person of Lord Wrothgar, a being so filled with hatred and lust for power that his dark influences had threatened to overwhelm all the western lands. Wrothgar’s nature and origins are uncertain. Some scholars have speculated that he is akin to the Asari; others maintain that he is the embodiment of evil itself. There was no method too foul, no plan too perverse or corrupt for Wrothgar, whose apparent goal was to overcome the influence of enlightenment, knowledge, and above all, love.
Duinar’s kindly, weathered face peered down at Aincor, who, as with all Elves, was very much aware of his surroundings even from birth. “Well, well! What have we here? An Elfling! Wherever did you come from, little prince?” Duinar frowned, pushing aside a lock of Aincor’s soft, copper-brown hair, taking notice of the pale rune-mark on the right side of his forehead—the one that resembled eádra, meaning “light”. The mark shone forth as a beacon of destiny. This was an Elf of importance, one who had been marked by the Lord of Light. Duinar knew then that he could not long remain with the Northmen.
“You’re a big one,” he muttered, smiling down at the Elfling’s solemn little face. “Obviously Èolarin. In the spring I shall send you to my brothers in Tal-elathas, where you may come to know the company of your own people. For now, I shall care for you myself.”
Duinar named the Elfling “Caladon”, meaning “one who is deep”. He instructed Caladon all through the long winter, giving him the best care he could provide. When the most learned men came for their lessons, Caladon lay propped in a corner, wrapped in warm blankets, often sucking on his fingers and toes, but attentive. Always attentive. By the time he left Tuathas, he already knew the rudiments of Aridani, the base-tongue of Men. Duinar took care to address him in the language of the Èolar, and, as a result, he could speak it in brief sentences. Even Duinar was impressed.
Tal-elathas, the ancient Realm of Knowledge, had been founded by the Èolar as their fortress against the benighted influence of Lord Wrothgar. Therefore, when Duinar sent forth the message that an Elfling had been found—one who bore the mark of eádri—they were anxious to receive him. Tal-elathas also harbored three of Duinar’s kin: Léiras the Far-sighted, Kotos the Persuader, and Baelta the Bright. Duinar knew that an extraordinary being like Caladon would benefit greatly from association with them.
Tal-elathas was fast becoming the repository for all written lore, although there was not yet a large amount. It was only at the beginning of the First Reckoning that lore was recorded in permanent fashion; during the Time of Mystery, all histories were passed directly by word-of- mouth. As the Elves of Tal-elathas came to know Caladon, they realized that he would not be satisfied merely with studying what had been written. He would seek to fill volumes of his own with brave deeds and accomplishments.
From the first, he commanded respect. Even as a child he was bent on learning and accomplishing as much as he could; in fact, he never behaved as a child at all. Where most children are aware of their shortcomings, and are therefore prepared to submit to the direction of their elders, Caladon would neither acknowledge nor display any shortcomings of his own. He studied the arts of battle in private, sparring only with other children who were less adept than he. His strength grew to match his confidence. He had no friends, and he allowed no one close enough to view the inner workings of his mind and heart.
When at last the Asari insisted that he practice battle-arts with fully grown, experienced warriors, Caladon’s confidence remained unshaken. What he lacked in experience and maturity he made up for in stubborn, somewhat reckless perseverance. Time and again he would be knocked back or swept off his feet, only to rise again, battering his opponent, who, seeing the futility of it, would ultimately submit. No one matched Caladon’s strength of will.
His reckless courage earned him many accolades. Anxious to prove himself, he set his sights upon exterminating a troublesome dragon that had taken up residence in the vast tunnels and caverns hidden beneath the lands immediately to the north of Tal-elathas. The dragon had discovered that, not only could he pilfer from the Elves’ winter provisions, he could attack and devour an occasional scout or keeper of the watch. The dragon loved Elf-flesh, as every dragon does. Attacks were increasing both in frequency and ferocity, but none would dare attack the dragon underground, for to do so in such close quarters would be most unwise.