Stories from the World of Hârn – to entertain, inspire, and educate.
Janôra, Tríerzòn, 10 Laránè TR702
“Tára!”
“Tára…!”
An old woman hurried along a long wooden corridor, calling as she looked worriedly from side to side.
“Where are you girl?”
She halted at the foot of a long staircase that disappeared up into the gloom.
“Are you up there again, Tára? You know your father doesn’t like you going up there!”...
The seagulls whirled overhead and their cries filled the morning as Kesél made his way across the Péngefîrkant, the market square of Chélemby city. It was early morning, and the stall holders were setting up for the day's trading. Clouds scudded overhead, and a cool breeze blew in from the harbour, bringing the smells and sounds of the docks.
He carried a small packet under his arm, which he had...
Tárenis reigned in his horse, and came to a stop. Before him was the Quantérè river, and across it the broad bridge of Quârelin. The Royal pennant of the House of Daláme fluttered from the bridge's gatehouse towers, and from the spires of the towers that dotted the walls of the city. He had reached the nest of vipers.
He had ridden hard for two and a half days, on a horse purchased for him by Kélas in...
When Tárenis was woken the next morning by the cries of someone selling bread in the streets outside, it took him a few moments to remember where he was. The window over the canal was open once more and the light of the early morning was streaming in. He then realised that neither Márden nor Kélas were in the room.
He rose, splashed some water on his face from a basin on a nightstand, and went in search of his companions.
He found them both in the dinning hall, where they were...
The small boat made its way through tall reeds and waterways, which became progressively more open and less congested with weeds and plants as they went on.
Kélas paddled the boat from the rear, while Márden and Tárenis sat before him. It was a quiet, chilled autumn morning, and they moved swiftly through the water. They had risen early, and left the marshfolk village of Káis Alwás just after dawn. It was...
"We have to rest", said Tárenis, turning to his companion, Márden, as the two young men reached the pass of Kel Stûras, having ridden hard north across the barony of Néln, avoiding all contact with locals.
Their horses were exhausted, and the two young men were equally tired, not having halted since leaving the ford of Òdelýn. They had begun their journey early that morning, had slept little the night before, and had been travelling south on this same route only the day before....
Márden paced back and forth in his Lord's chamber, his mind racing. What had happened? Why was the constable, Sir Hâraden, concerned? And what did it all have to do with him?
Tárenis had tried to keep his friend calm, but given up. He sat, moodily, at the great table. He was just as perplexed as his companion.
Márden stopped pacing.
"What in all of Keléstia is all this about?" he fumed. "And why, of all things, has the constable locked you, my Lord's son, and I in these...
“See, there... a fine goose..." whispered the young man to his companion.
The two were well dressed, in fine leathers and boots, but were hunkered low amongst tall reeds in the midst of a wide expanse of marshland that extended to the horizon.
Before them, on a stretch of open water, was a fine wild goose, hunting and searching for food in the margins. A cool autumn breeze blew gently across the pool...
Jutting into the Gap of Lankor from the east is a range of high hills called the Melwy, an offshoot of the Tonatris Mountains. They have never been settled by man and only a few hunters and fur trappers now visit there, whilst timbermen and miners shun the area. The cause of this is that the hills are already claimed by a non-human (or partially human) race, the centaurs.
Most scholars regard...
Journey to Ábrelyn (a tale of Emélrenè) - Part V - the Holy One
After a night of deep, restful sleep, Kélroth was woken by the light through the high windows that ran along the southeast facing wall of the hall of rest. An attendant waiting at the end of the hall rose and provided him with clean robes, and a basin to wash. Once he was clean and dressed, a simple meal was provided, and soon Ohláren returned.
"Feeling better, young man?"
Kélroth nodded...