The Origin of Trolls and Barbarians

Swords of Fire: Traitor makes mention of Trolls and Barbarians. They become important again in Book IV, which currently has no working title. I thought I would give a short background where Trolls and Barbarians came from.

After The Great War, which nearly destroyed The Great Sea, the Children of Fire were bound to repair as much damage as they could. Part of this restoration process involved close interaction with the Free Peoples, of which there were five: Figgits, Dwarfs, Men, Pennans, and Nomads. The Pennan and Nomad numbers were few, but the other races still existed in huge numbers. This was especially so with the race of Men.

In order to facilitate interaction between the Free People and the Children of Fire, certain members of the Children of Fire took on mortal form, meaning they would share the fate of whichever race they chose to emulate. They were granted long lifespans, but ultimately they would die. Lacking anything creative, the Free People called these Mortals.

Unfortunately, Zenophone encouraged a good number of his followers to also take on mortal form. These did not act in accordance with the rules set forth by the High King. Instead, they used their superior strength to overcome those they were to help and set up kingdoms. Hence they were called Overlords.

The Overlords went further than just seek dominion. They forced members of the races to become to become concubines and sexual slaves. The children born to these unions were deformed in varying degrees. They were known as The Accursed Races.

Accursed Races:

• Goblins: from Figgits
• Gnomes: from Dwarfs
• Barbarians: from Men
• Gargoyles: from Pennans
• Renegades: from Nomads

The Free People shunned these offspring, creating a population of outcasts who learned to hate those who blamed them without cause. Many were hunted and killed. All were tormented to one degree or another. And when the Overlords began dying (or being killed), the surviving mothers took their children to the mountains to hide. And there, in the mountains, in order to fulfill the maturing desires of their sons, mothers committed unthinkable acts. The children from these unions became even more deformed than their fathers, and were shunned even by the outcasts. In time they became known as Trolls.

Trolls from Renegades were the largest. Next in size were Trolls from Barbarians. These are the Trolls of Swords of Fire: Traitor.

Sick? Yeah. It is. That's the point. People - any people - are capable of incredible acts when put in certain circumstances. The harder we deny this, the more likely we would be victims.

Giant Cats: Friend or Foe

In Swords of Fire: Traitor there are only a few references to animals. We know about horses. Mostly, those are used for pulling plows and wagons, although there are a few bred for speed. Avalina is an apprentice horse trainer, and according to the story earns good money at that.

Oxen are used to pull heavy loads, particularly of ore. There is a reference to beef cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. Don't recall if I mention chickens and geese, but they're there. There are (or were) references to cats and dogs. Those may have been cut from the story as I sought desperately for ways to reduce word count. Entire characters had their sub-stories cut.

Regarding wild animals, deer are mentioned, as are eagles, wolves (I think - if not in Traitor certainly in Prophecies of Madatar, where they play an important role), squirrels, fish, and small birds. Maybe I reference dragons. Can't remember. So much was deleted in the last edit.

There are also a couple of references to Giant Cats.

Surprisingly, I have said very little about Giant Cats on this blog. Where more is said is in Tavaar's Backstory - and some place else I can't find right now. The portion where they are discussed in Tavaar's Backstory has not been posted at this time. However, in that portion, Khaiu delivers an infodump about Giant Cats.

“Shadow Cats are ancient creatures from the Beginning,” said Khaiu. “There are three kinds: Fire Cats, Shadow Cats, and Sphinx. All are gifted in speech and knowledge. Their quest is for knowledge. The Fire Cats are perhaps the wisest, able to take in and understand knowledge better than the others. They are mountain and forest dwellers. Their strength is in their ability to focus on an idea. Their weakness is tied to their strength. Because they focus on an idea, their knowledge is more limited. Unlike the Shadow Cats and Sphinx. The Shadow Cars are the balance of Fire Cats. Maybe that is why the two are generally found together. But whereas Fire Cats focus intently on certain areas of knowledge, Shadow Cats are curious about everything. Thus, Shadow Cats are gifted with more knowledge, but less understanding. I do not say this to offend.” This last was spoken to Shadow Mother, who was listening intently. She smiled.

“You only speak the truth, little one. Go on. You are doing well. Tell them of the Sphinx.”

“The Sphinx are between the two. They are less wise, but more knowledgeable than Fire Cats, and more wise and less knowledgeable than Shadow Cats. Also, they do not appear to get along with the others, and so shun the forests and mountains. In fact, they do not appear to care much for anyone or anything.”

“They do not,” said Shadow Mother. “They threaten and bully. They love to torment. Unlike us, they are ever loth to reveal their knowledge. They couch what they know in riddles and deception, misleading the well intended.”

“And you do not?” asked Sashwa.

As you can see, Khaiu is not alone. At least Sashwa is with him. Not only that, but they are in the presence of a Giant Cat. I'll let you know now that there were seven present: Khaiu and Tura, Shello and Klarissa, Tavaar and Wheylen, and Sashwa. This scene is critical in explaining some of what is to come.

So, Who's Reading This Anyway

Getting a lot of visits over the past week. No comments. Just visits. Not sure what's up with that.

Seems to be related to my renaming the blog, so I'm not sure people are coming here because they are interested in the blog contents, or because the new title implies something else to them.

All of that being said, I am curious. Is anyone actually reading the posts?

Just curious. Yesterday, this blog got more hits than the next two added together. But no comments. So I wonder if the visits aren't all an accident.

Sayla

Right now, one hundred percent of what is known about Sayla is revealed in Swords of Fire: Traitor. I have done no further background story on her. Sayla's background story is tied in with Khirsha's. They grew up together.

What we learn early on is that Sayla's parents, her father in particular, very much want Sayla to court and marry Khirsha. Khirsha and Sayla are close cousins, as opposed to near cousins, or just plain cousins.

A near cousin is the offspring of parent brothers and sisters. Close cousins would be those who are offspring of grandparents brothers and sisters - exclusing near cousins, of course. Cousins are all others in the family.

Sayla's grandfather is Abro, who is brother to Abrin, Khirsha's grandfather.

Actually, now that I think on it, my opening statement is not true. I do know things about Sayla which are not in the story, although I guess they are hinted at.

Sayla is one of Khirsha's generation's best warriors. Apparently, only Khirsha, Kelso, and Nivendor exceed her, but that is in fighting skill. As a hunter, Khirsha concedes Sayla's superiority, and Sayla offers no false humility in denying it.

In the year 338, at the age of eight, Sayla wins the eight-year-old sword championship by defeating her best friend and close cousin, Meekel. She will win again at the ages of ten, thirteen, and sixteen. Seven times she will fight in the championship and lose to Kelso, the last time at the age of nineteen. Once, at the age of seventeen, she will lose to Kelso in the semi-finals.

At the age of twenty she will face Khirsha for the championship. And lose.

In the last two years of competition she will face Tavaar's eldest son, Nivendor in the semi-finals and lose both times.

Sayla is an attractive girl, although even Khirsha acknowledges not the most attractive. That honor goes to Laynell, who is sweet on Kelso. Still, it is possible Laynell only appears more attractive because of the effort she puts into maintaining her appearance. Sayla, being a hunter, is more rustic, both in appearance and attitude. Her naturalness is clearly one of the things which attracts Khirsha to her. But - and this is the secret part - there is something else at play. Something I cannot reveal at this time. I believe it is slated to be revealed in Book Six, which currently has no working title.

Suffice to say, Sayla is a very important person.

Abrin

Abrin is the Head-of-Family at the time of Swords of Fire: Traitor. He is also Khirsha's grandfather.

While I know quite a bit about him, I have not actually included him much in any background story.

He is an enigmatic character at times, possessing knowledge, seemingly without a source. But all knowledge must have a source someplace. Thus far, I only hint at it. In Book Three (currently titled Bonds of Love) we learn the source.

Abrin is a man full of plans and secrets. Such is the life of anyone in charge of a large group. He is decisive, able to make hard decisions even when he lacks the knowledge he seeks. He is also able to wait, knowing when waiting for that knowledge is more important than acting out of turn.

At times he can appear to be harsh. Other times he demonstrates great compassion and understanding.

Although nearing one hundred years of age, he is still strong and able. He passes his flamesword test in Swords of Fire: Traitor with honors, although his son, Khaiu, might argue that point.

He is not above bending, or even breaking, rules. Sometimes for selfish reasons. At the same time he accepts responsibility for his actions. He possesses knowledge that few in the family share. This is often a burden, for the others' lack of knowledge affects their decisions as much as his possession of it.

Odelmaar

Odelmaar is something of a heavy in Swords of Fire: Traitor. It is Odelmaar who opposes Khirsha's grandfather in matters of family policy. It is Odelmaar who ever seeks harsher punishments for Khirsha and Kelso.

Swords of Fire: Traitor doesn't give us a lot of background information on Odelmaar. What we know is that he is the sovereign over Mines. He appears to be quite wealthy. He seems to support Prince Johahnen as successor to the Azuan throne. He was second in the competition to be Head-of-Family to Khirsha's grandfather.

There are no current stories devoted to Odelmaar to fill in his background, although if they were I am sure they would be interesting. He shows up at whiles in Tavaar's Background Story. Particularly after Tavaar leaves the military.

In Tavaar's Background Story we see a completely different man. But is that not often the way of stories, both real and otherwise?

When I originally introduced Sovereign Odelmaar into the saga I did not particularly like him. Back then I was creating "good" and "evil" characters. Odelmaar would have to wait nearly fifteen years before I allowed him to become a real person. Same with Khirsha, Abrin, and all the others. But whereas I had to show the failings of Khirsha and the other "good" characters, it was necessary to show Odelmaar as something other than a power hungry sovereign. I did this by writing Tavaar's Background Story. In it, we see Odelmaar dealing with is wife, parents, and children. This shows us his human side. It showed me. Then I rewrote Swords of Fire: Traitor, knowing more about Odelmaar. His character was much more believable.

Hawnka

I haven't written a lot about Old Hawnka. She's a character from Swords of Fire: Traitor. A significant character, even if she is a minor character.

Hawnka is Unaligned. This was the unfortunate fate of everyone known - or suspected to be - conceived out of wedlock. Bastards.

The first Unaligned was Tarska, born to Ashamada and Truschk in the 68th year of the Compound. Ashamada's mother was Alahnta, who was currently the Crops Soveriegn, and who would eventually become Head-of-Family. Alahnta was a hard woman and shamed by her daughter's behavior. She used her influence to prevent Tarska from being assigned membership in the Crops Line. Little did she understand that in punishing her daughter, she was not only also punishing her grandson, but all such children thereafter. In fact, many children born within the rules of family law would also be punished, for no child of an Unaligned could be anything but Unaligned. This made the Unaligned the fastest growing of all "lines", and by the time of Khirsha, the fifth most populous.

I like Hawnka. There isn't much I can say about her here because most of it is going to be revealed in the Saga. Suffice to say that she is very wise, and that she has access to things most of the family can't even dream about.

It's a Complex Place

Converted the blog to a new template and then added a left sidebar. It's a better utilization of space.

Swords of Fire is an amazing saga. To me, anyway. Not only do I have a main story which covers an entire solar system, but I have a hoard of spin-off stories, too.

You already know of Tavaar's Backstory. But what about the backstories of other characters? What about Khirbah and Korbah, the founders of the Compound 333 years before my main character, Khirsha, was born? How did that come about?

The Kingdom of Azua. Who are those people? How vast is their kingdom?

What about Barbarians and Trolls? Why are they so hateful? There has to be a reason. People just aren't born that way. (I do know the reason, by the way.)

Where did the Giant Cats come from? How did Fire Mountain come to be?

What's great is that I have answers to all of these questions. After thirty-seven years it only makes sense.

Why is the Sea there? What is its real purpose?

I know it all. And yet I continue to learn more. Isn't that amazing? That's the wonder and beauty of world building. It never really ends until we do.

Tavaar - 73rd Edition

“Process? What process?” asked Sashwa.

“It is very similar to what we are doing right now," said Khaiu. "Anyone wishing to officially declare a premonition must present themselves at the Temple for examination. A scribe will record all they say, including their own interpretation, while those who are believed to ‘know’ listen. The ‘Knowers’ are those like Sashwa, who do not necessarily see the vision, but somehow can tell if it is real. My guess, Sashwa, is that in years to come you will find yourself sitting and listening to these premonitions. After the premonition has been recorded, the ‘Seer’ leaves, and the Knowers give their impressions, one at a time without the knowledge of the others. The scribe records each in turn. Finally, the report is brought to the Head-of-Family and Chief Temple Keeper, and any sovereign who may be near. If the consensus is that it is real, it is announced. If not, no one hears of it.”

“And you say Gwihnna has done this twice?” asked Shello.

“Yes. In both cases the Knowers agreed her premonition was real, but disagreed with her interpretation. From reading Gwihnna’s accounts, it is clear she does not look beyond the surface. Her judgments tend to be rash, and mostly centered around herself.”

“But they did come true?” asked Tavaar.

“They did. But not like Gwihnna expected.”

“If that is true, then her interpretation of this may also be faulty,” said Wheylin.

“That is more than reasonable,” said Khaiu. “It is what I believe.”

“But Sashwa confirmed it,” said Tavaar.

“Only that it was real,” said Khaiu. “Has she not always had difficulty with Gwihnna’s interpretation?”

“I have,” said Sashwa, looking at Tavaar. “I mean, we like to tease and toy and play, Darling, but I just can’t see you doing this. Certainly not with Shello!”

Laughter, followed by a playful slap from Shello.

“Nor I,” said Khaiu. “I believe Wheylin spoke true when he said you might do it in your dreams, but not while awake.”

“So what does it mean?” Tavaar asked.

“Let us consider what we know. We are hampered because apparently the premonition was short. That opens the way for more possibilities. But what we know is Tavaar is holding two babies. An adult figure in shadow is with her. That is all. Gwihnna chose to accept the obvious: that Tavaar bore the babies to the figure in shadow, and that since it wasn’t Wheylin, Tavaar was going to be unfaithful.”

“And because Kelenbah wanted me, she believed he was the shadow figure,” said Tavaar.

“A pretty big assumption,” said Shello.

“Not when you consider how Gwihnna always sees things centered around herself. That being true, it was only natural she would believe it was Kelenbah.”

“Something since proved to be false,” said Sashwa.

“Correct,” said Khaiu. “So let’s consider the adult in the shadow.”

“He could be anybody,” said Shello.

“Anybody but Kelenbah,” added Sashwa.

“Which means?” Khaiu prompted.

There was a pause while Khaiu waited for them to catch up to his thinking. Tavaar thought she knew what he was implying.

“Why can’t he be Wheylin?”

Tavaar - 72nd Edition

“It seems real," said Tavaar. "It did from the first. That’s why I have been afraid. I don’t want it to be true. Only, I feel helpless. I mean, if it is a premonition, then it is going to happen. Right? How can I stop the future? You’ve told me yourself, Khaiu, I have a destiny.”

“Don’t let that throw you. He’s said the same thing to me. And Klarissa,” said Shello.

“And who knows who else? Is that what you’re saying?” asked Sashwa.

“Maybe. I just don’t see it as something to worry about.”

“That’s because your destiny isn’t to be unfaithful,” snapped Tavaar.

“Neither is yours,” said Khaiu. “You have a destiny, but there is no need to be either excited or concerned. It will fulfill itself in its own time and in its own way.”

“But what about Gwihnna’s premonition?” asked Sashwa.

“Gwihnna’s premonition is interesting,” said Khaiu.

Sashwa laughed. “Interesting? You have a gift for understatement, Khaiu.”
“Why is it interesting?” asked Tavaar.

Khaiu had never professed special seeing or knowing ability, save that he had assured Shello, Klarissa, and herself that they all had a destiny. He said it with such assurance no one thought to question him on it. But there was a lot more to Khaiu than intelligence and warrior skill. His entire manner bespoke such confidence that many far older deferred to his judgment. He studied hard. He knew things few others did. When challenged on his knowledge he always pointed to a verifiable source; usually, the Temple records. Even in the non-restricted area there was a lot of information few bothered to read.

“To begin with, I find it interesting that the only one not cast in shadow is Tavaar. The other is in shadow. Even the children are not seen clearly.”

“What do you think is the significance?” asked Shello.

“I’m not sure. There are several possibilities, but this was not Gwihnna’s first premonition. Did you know that?”

“She mentioned others, though she didn’t say what they were. But she said they always came true,” said Tavaar.

“She spoke the truth; but only part of it. Officially, Gwihnna has had two premonitions. These took place on alternating years. She may have had others which she did not choose to make known. But the two she did came true all right, but not in the way she predicted.”

“How do you know this?” asked Wheylin.

“I have been studying premonitions for years,” said Khaiu. “Each year several claim to have them. It is not always the same ones, and very rarely does anyone have more than one in a given year. At least, none are recorded. Not everyone chooses to go through the process. Certainly not every time.”

Tavaar - 71st Edition

Khaiu had become their unofficial leader. This was normal. He was not only the ranking officer, and the eldest, but he had always taken the lead whenever they discussed something serious. In matters of play, it had always been Tavaar or Sashwa or, every once in a while, Shello. The newcomer was Wheylin. Although Sashwa’s brother, Wheylin had never been part of her and Tavaar’s escapades. This had been especially true when play was involved. That was part of Tavaar’s reason for sitting so close to him. She wanted to be sure he felt secure and confident in his place within the group.

Tavaar glanced around. She was happy because here was the core of her life. Only Bolar was missing. Ahzbah meant a lot to her, but Ahzbah was only interested in play. These four knew that sometimes things really were important, and right now they were all bound with a single purpose: break down Gwihnna’s premonition and decide once and for all if it was real or imagined. And if real, what could (should) be done about it?

The first thing Khaiu did was to make sure everyone understood the premonition, so he had Tavaar repeat it. Shello was the only one who had not been previously told. Then, beginning with Sashwa and moving left, he asked each to reveal their first response.
Sashwa conceded that something seemed to ring true about it, but she couldn’t conceive of how it could come about. Shello said it didn’t make any sense whatsoever, but shamefacedly admitted that something about it made him uneasy. Khaiu skipped himself. As unofficial head of this meeting, he felt he should go last. He turned to Wheylin. Wheylin began with a sigh.

“My first reaction was that it was a trick. It would certainly be the kind of fool thing Gwihnna and Kelenbah would do. I know Tavaar can be wild, and she likes to have fun. That was her reputation when we were married. But no one ever claimed to have lay with her. She can often appear to be wild because of her antics and her talk – especially when she is with my sister. But I have always believed – before and since our marriage – that she is honorable and pure. I believe you all see her the same. For that reason, no matter how I may feel, I cannot see how the premonition can be true. The most likely partners would be you two. Yet I believe you both to also be honorable and pure. If you're all honorable how can it happen? I can see her doing things in her dreams, but that’s not real. Dreams are not just about what we desire, but they also contain our fears. So while she may lay with you in her dreams, can you honestly imaging her laying with you for real? Well, can you?”

“Hush,” said Sashwa. “They’re imagining it.”

Wheylin groaned iand asked for someone to slap her. There was no need. Tavaar and Shello, who sat on either side of her, had already cried out themselves and acted. They slapped Sashwa several times, but only in a playful manner. They stopped and sat back up. Now it was Tavaar’s turn.

Tavaar - 70th Edition

All erupted with boisterous laughter. All, that is, except Khaiu. He sat quiet and unmoved while all laughed at his expense. He waited for everyone to settle back down before exacting his revenge.

“I let him tell this tale because I feel sorry for him.”

“Why?” asked Sashwa.

Tavaar looked at Shello. His smile was fading fast.

“It is because of what Tura and I did to him and Klarissa.”

Sashwa leaned forward. “What did you do?”

“We had caught them in the water, but instead of wasting our time watching the inexperienced, we did something far more practical: we took their clothes and brought them back to camp.”

Now everyone was laughing at Shello. Sashwa had to fall back and roll on the ground. It took her awhile to collect herself.

“Oh, I wish I had been there to see you two trying to sneak back to camp to get your clothes,” she said. “I bet you had to use all your skill to get in unnoticed.”

“He did,” said Khaiu, impressed. “They actually might have made it, too – except for one thing: we told everyone they were coming. It was quite amusing, really. There was Klarissa, her arms crossed and trying to hide behind Shello. And there was Shello, with his teeny weenie little oak leaf. They looked so pitiful Tura and I took compassion on them and tossed them their things.”

“But we got even with you on that!” cried Shello.

“Ye – e – s, but I believe Tura and I are still one up.”

“Not for long. Klarissa and I have something special planned.”

“I can hardly wait.”

They talked a while longer. Then everyone began breaking away into the regular evening routines. A few left for some private play time, but mostly it was notepacks and pointcasters. Tavaar led Wheylin, Sashwa, Khaiu, and Shello to a place where they could talk without interruption. They sat in a tight circle. This allowed them to speak in low tones. Sashwa sat to Tavaar’s left. Shello was beside her. Then came Khaiu, Wheylin and Tavaar, who sat so close to Wheylin she was nearly in his lap.

“You needn’t sit on him, Darling. I don’t think he’s planning on going anywhere,” said Sashwa.

Tavaar laughed with the others, but she stayed close to Wheylin.

Tavaar - 69th Edition

So I've been playing around with the blog's layout. Not sure I'm keen on the new colors, but I like the wider column. If you have an opinion to render on the subject I would be pleased to know it. Same with Tavaar's backstory.

I skipped Tavaar's meeting with her husband. That involved some lovemaking which I'm not keen to put in right now. Then Sashwa arrived in a mood. Tavaar made a joke and suggested she leave the twins alone. Of course that did not go well with Sashwa or Wheylin.

This next bit doesn't really offer much in the way of plot or anything. But then there is no real plot to Tavaar's background. It's just background. It's also a bit longer than 500-words. But Shello has a cute story I wanted to include.

Khaiu’s evaluation proved true. Sampka was doing a thorough job of questioning each warrior. This made the entire company uneasy. It was impossible not to whisper and guess what was going on. After lunch, the tension wore heavy. Tavaar decided to give at least some warriors a respite. She sent Nayvahl and Sashwa’s teams out on patrol, although there was no real need. Sashwa’s was given the added instruction of bringing back supper. Shello left with Nayvahl and Khaiu with Sashwa. Tavaar remained in camp.

The High Command had taken an austere attitude. They remained at Kelenbah’s old hut. They took a couple of short breaks before supper. After supper, there were no interviews, but they remained apart, apparently discussing testimony. They had interviewed a little more than half the company. Tavaar was relieved it had been with the warriors most likely to be critical of her. Those that remained were more friendly. During supper, Tavaar had all the squad leaders sit with Khaiu and Shello. The rest of the company sat near, for the two brothers were relating some of their experiences from down south – beyond family lands. They had actually gone as far south as Dark Lake. This put them in a near mythical region under the shadow of the Troll Mountains. The rumors were the region was haunted by an assortment of frightening creatures. Shello, speaking dramatically, gave his feelings about the place.

“Well, as to what can be found in the lake, all I’m ready to say is, there is a reason it was named Dark Lake.”

“Why?” blurted out Hehnfit, who had crept close.

Khaiu gave him a look. “It’s dark,” he said, drawing a wave of laughter at Hehnfit's expense.

“But it’s real dark!” said Shello.

“But what’s in the lake?” Hehnfit asked.

“Water,” said Khaiu.

More laughter. Hehnfit was both embarrassed and put out.

“Yes, but what about the creatures that live in the water?” he asked. “I’ve heard there are monsters in there. Did you see anything? And don’t tell me fish!”

“Well, Klarissa and I saw creatures in the water, and they certainly were not fish,” said Shello, his voice low and alarming. Several of the younger warriors leaned forward, the hair on their arms raised. “We were on our way back to camp. No one else was with us. Then, we saw them. There were two. I think they may have been a mating pair, for they were engaged in some bizarre behavior. Knowing how wild things can be at such times, we moved very cautiously.”

Tavaar found herself glancing at Khaiu, to see if anything about his manner would lend credibility to Shello’s tale. Shello expounded on how the two creatures splashed and chased each other through water probably no deeper than his waist. The male made a horrible call that hurt their ears and echoed into the forest, but the female seemed to like it. They were fairly hairless creatures, although not completely. Amazingly, unlike other wild creatures Shello had seen, the male was not the one with greater beauty. In fact, he was hardly worth noticing at all. The female, on the other hand, was quite beautiful.

“What kind of creatures were they? What are they called?” asked Quehlit.

Shello’s face was intense, as though loth to speak. When he did, it was practically a whisper. “Well, I can only tell you what I call them.”

“What?” several asked at once.

“Khaiu and Tura.”

Tavaar - 68th Edition

This installment of Tavaar's Backstory is going to be especially short. The reason is that it ends a scene and probably should have been part of yesterday's post after all. No matter.

We are soon to learn some important information from Khaiu. In Swords of Fire: Traitor, Khaiu is really just a minor character. In Tavaar's Backstory his role is far more important.

Even when writing Swords of Fire I always suspected there was far more to Khaiu than I really knew. I wasn't able to piece it all together, though, until I wrote Tavaar's Backstory. That included some of Khaiu's backstory. It also allowed me to see how Khaiu is truly a "mover and shaker" of events. He is deliberately enigmatic, like his father. He prefers a role behind, but very near, the visible leaders. This is not because of any lack of confidence on Khaius part. Rather, it is because he is wise enough to understand that those at the front are often distracted by events and so do not see all they should. Therefore, they rely on others to do some of the seeing for them. Understanding he has a great capacity to see these other things, Khaiu has chosen to forgo the front in order to be the best support possible.

Anyway, here is the conclusion of Tavaar's scene with Khaiu.

“Why have you been studying premonitions?”

“To see if there is an overall pattern, or message.”

“Is there?”

“It is especially interesting that your lover in Gwihnna's premonition should remain in shadow when the premonition is repeated. Especially when everything else in the premonition was made more clear. She gave no hint to his identity?”

“No. You say ‘his’. Does that mean you think both children are fathered by the same male?”

“The shadow was the same.”

She looked at him intently. He was drifting away in thought.

“Khaiu? Khaiu! Do you think you know something about this?”

He looked at her with sudden keenness. “You are a warrior of destiny, Tavaar.”

“You’ve told me that before. Khaiu, are you saying my ‘destiny’ is somehow connected with this premonition?”

“I am not saying anything. That is your guess.”

“But it strikes me as a fair guess. I think you know something, Khaiu. Tell me. I can handle it. I promise.”

Instead of a reply, he only gave her an irritating smile.

“Let me think things over through the night and the morrow. We should meet again. Only we should invite Wheylin, Sashwa, and Shello. Judging by how General Sampka is proceeding tonight, I doubt he will be done tomorrow. Okay?”

Tavaar hesitated. “Khaiu, I haven’t told Wheylin everything.”

Khaiu’s look was blank. “Then maybe you should. Come. Let us sit with the others. We have done all we can tonight.”

“Well, not all we can.”

“Do not start, Tavaar.”

Tavaar - 67th Edition

Tavaar gasped. “You want to, too! You want me as much as I want you.”

Khaiu sighed. “Maybe more.”

“Not likely! Now I really feel better. This is wonderful!”

“I am glad you are happy.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this right off?”

“Because then you would want me more than ever.”

“I do.”

“No. I mean when I came to your hut. You would not have come out to me. You would have brought me in to you.”

“You bet I would.”

“Oh, so now it’s funny? A moment ago it was a problem.”

“A moment ago I thought I was alone in this.”

“And you saw yourself a helpless pawn in a premonition? You realize we are not slaves to our desires.”

“Speak for yourself.”

She couldn’t resist teasing. It was as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She wanted to celebrate, but Khaiu had no patience for her lighthearted antics.

“Okay, fine. It seems you have changed your mind. Are you now going to invite me into your hut so we can lay together?”

“You know I’m not.”

“Then stop with this. You feel better – for now – but nothing has been determined or resolved. I cannot vouch for the amount of help I can give. Shello and I will be leaving soon. I would like to clear this up before we go.”

“Shello!” She looked down the hill toward the place where Shello sat with Sashwa and Wheylin. They were laughing and animated. “I bet he feels just like you do,” she said. “Maybe I should invite him to my hut and play with his thoughts. It’s too late to do it to you. What do you think?”

“I think that is risky behavior.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“Right now, this moment? No. You are not thinking clearly. You are drunk with happiness. Happy as I am to see it, I feel I must cast as shadow of rain over your celebration and ask you if it might be possible that this is how Kelenbah got started?”

The mention of Kelenbah sobered her up. Illicit play was the real reason the High Command had come. Any action, especially on her part, would only guarantee an unfavorable decision.

“Okay, Khaiu. You’re right. So, what do you think of all this?”

Khaiu shifted back into his contemplative mode seamlessly. “I find it significant that your premonition lover is in shadow. That is not usual with premonitions, especially when they are had by the young.”

“How do you know?”

“I have studied the history of premonitions within the family – at least, recorded ones – and it appears the younger the person having them the more precise they are. I suspect this is because they aren’t aware so much and tend to ignore more general images.”

Tavaar - 66th Edition

She related the events over the summer and then came to the time when she deemed Kelenbah ripe to be forced out. When she told of Kelenbah's threat Khaiu’s became angry. Now she came to Gwihnna’s repeat of her premonition; this time with the promise of at least two children. Tavaar’s fear grew as she told how Sashwa finally confessed she believed it. Tavaar was convinced Bolar did, too.

“To that’s why I’m afraid. Especially of you and Shello. It has to be one of you. Or maybe both. Gwihnna said there were two children. I love no one more than you. By the King! Wheylin does not deserve this.”

“You mean you love no one more yet,” said Khaiu.

She looked at him, appalled. “Khaiu! No.”

He quickly raised his hand in a placating gesture. “I did not mean it like that. I meant Wheylin. Your love for him right now is perhaps not so strong as it should be, or you would like. However, though you did not state it plainly in your tale, I gather you love him more now than you did last year.”

“That’s true. I do. So, what are you saying? That my love for Wheylin will continue to grow until it surpasses the love I have for you?”

“It will not end even then, Tavaar. It will continue to grow as long as you exist – providing you take care of it.”

“Then, are you telling me that one day my love for you will end? That everything I have and feel for you will just – go away?”

“No. I hope your love for me – and Shello (I guess) – will continue forever. I know my love for you will. But one day, Wheylin’s place in your heart will be bigger than Shello’s and mine combined. That is the way of love, Tavaar.”

She felt her eyes go misty. She couldn’t help it. Khaiu had just admitted he loved her. He had done it on his own without prompting. She wanted to kiss him, but she did not dare. Khaiu, seeing her tears and her smile, quickly surmised her feelings. He gave her one of his rich, boyish smiles.

“Yes, Tavaar. I am still in love with you.”

“Khaiu?”

He held out his arms and she went to him and they kissed. It wasn’t long, nor was it a kiss of passion. But it was special. Her heart felt peaceful. She tasted his lips and let their tongues dance for moment. Then she sat back, her eyes were still locked with his.

“You see? We do not have to lay together,” he said.

“But now I really want to,” she cooed.

“Yes. Well. Perhaps we should return to the problem at hand.”

Tavaar - 65th Edition

We return to Tavaar. Remember she and Khaiu were sitting together by a tree. He wanted to know why she was afraid to be around him and Shello. She has been confessing her love and desires.

“So, you will tell Tura about tonight? About me offering myself to you?”

“But you haven’t offered yourself. You told me you want me to come in to you, but you have not invited me to do it.”

“There are those who would say the confession is an invitation.”

Damn! The temptation wasn’t gone. Khaiu smiled.

“Except I asked you to be clear. You said no.”

“What if I’m changing my mind?”

“Are you?”

“No.”

“Then let it go, Tavaar. Now, tell me what you will.”

“Where should I begin?”

“Where do you think is most appropriate?”

She considered. Perhaps it went back to her first meeting with Shello, when she was nine. Perhaps the kiss at sixteen. No. Khaiu already knew enough about all of that. It really began when they lost contact with each other. That was the year she and Wheylin married. When Shello was married. When she joined this company. She began there.

She was surprised at how easy the words came. They flowed steady and strong like water sliding off Fire Mountain. She found herself telling him things she had withheld from Wheylin – out of fear. Only Sashwa and Bolar knew this much, and only Sashwa knew it all. She told of how things had been for her after Shello turned her down. She talked about how lonely it was when Sashwa and Ahzbah left for military duty. Then, when Sashwa did not return as expected, she had felt lost and abandoned. So, when she agreed to kiss Wheylin, she was not careful, and they were caught. Her mother insisted they get married, and no amount of arguing would change her course. At this point, Tavaar actually laughed.

“What would she have said and done has she caught me with you? Or Shello? I let you go a lot further than Wheylin.” She hung her head. “I confess to sometimes wishing she had caught us. I hate myself for that. Wheylin deserves better. I love him. I really do. But I still catch myself dreaming of the past.” She sighed and gave Khaiu a weak smile. His general countenance was expressionless, but she had learned to read his eyes. He understood. There was no condemnation. She continued, struggling to explain her relationship with Wheylin, and the days following her joining the company. Then she came to Gwihnna’s premonition.

Khaiu’s manner told her his attentiveness had increased dramatically. Not that he hadn’t been paying attention. But now, that incredible brain of his was analyzing. She spoke more slowly, pausing to give him opportunity to seek clarification. He was very interested in Gwihnna’s premonition and he had her tell it to him several times. He pressed for any clue Gwihnna may have given over who, but Gwihnna had no idea. He was just a smoky shadow. He said nothing as she went over the various means Kelenbah and his companions used to try and break her. Then she came to the moon when she had rushed to Bolar. Khaiu perked up again, eager to hear Bolar’s response. He made her detail her conversation. Blushing, she confessed her offer to Bolar, but Khaiu took it in stride. It was as if he were gathering severed pieces of some definite shape, and trying to assemble them correctly to discover what the shape was. As to the plan they devised, he made no comment.

Tavaar continued. However, she began to stumble when she came to the part where she finally gave herself to Wheylin. She had told Sashwa everything, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to tell Khaiu. He gave her a look, apparently wondering at her discomfort. Then the truth dawned on him.

“I do not need to hear details of everything, Tavaar.”

She chuckled. Embarrassed. “Thank you.”

Trying to Put Images to Imagination

I got this ClickArt package about ten or fifteen years ago which contains roughly 200,000 images I can use for various things. After a quick perusal I have come to the conclusion that probably 199,000 of those images aren't worth anything. But I wanted to post some images of what Tavaar, Sashwa, Khaiu, Shello, and some of the other characters might look like.

There were NO images which satisfied my desire, but a few which were all right.


This first image, to the right, is a silhouette of how I imagine Tavaar and Khaiu are feeling at the time of their discussion at the tree.

Memories of how they used to play in each other's arms fill their heads, and desire courses through their veins. Perhaps they are feeling a bit warm?

Tavaar is still very much in love with Khaiu, and from the passage it can be infered Khaiu still bears a great love for Tavaar. But each married to someone else, and play time is over.

But they still dream and desire.





This picture to the left is kind of how I see Sashwa. Sashwa is Tavaar's greatest friend. There is no other.

The picture, while clearly more modern in scope, seems to capture some of Sashwa's independence. Were the hair longer, and more full, I would actually have chosen this picture for Tavaar. There is a beauty and elegance about it which bespeaks Tavaar.

What the picture lacks is Sashwa's playfulness. More, it seems to demonstrate Tavaar's leadership.

It's one of those pictures which could be either Tavaar or Sashwa. They are so in love with each other that perhaps it does not matter.

The final picture, below, is again about kissing. The images are more youthful, so it is more like a memory of time past, when Tavaar and Khaiu spent many hours at the edge of firelight exploring the ways of passion and delight. These memories ever haunt Tavaar.

Tavaar - 64th Edition

“Okay. I’m sorry, too. But you don’t know what I’m feeling, Khaiu.”

“I have a pretty good idea. But before we take this any further, I want to ask you a question; a serious question, though it may sound like mockery. Are you going to ask me to lay with you?”

He was looking at her intently. She looked back. Her feelings were swirling, and her thoughts felt muddled. He was putting it on her. She would decide. Could she? Her reply was nearly a whisper.

“I want to. At least, part of me does.”

“No. That does not answer my question. I know what you’re feeling. I know what you would like to do. I’m not asking that. I’m asking, what are you going to do? They’re not the same, Tavaar. At least, they don’t have to be. Decide with your will, not your feelings. You have never been a slave to your feelings before, so I ask you again: are you going to ask me to lay with you?”

Hesitation. “No.”

“Okay. What about Shello? Are you going to ask him to lay with you?”

“No.”

“Then what are you afraid of? You know neither Shello nor I will assault you, whatever we might desire. For one thing, we wouldn’t dare. So if we can’t start anything, and you won’t start anything, how can anything happen? From whence comes the fear?”

She continued to look into his eyes. He always seemed wise beyond his years to her, and he wasn’t afraid to tell the truth. To him, the truth was like the weather. One didn’t control it, one simply learned to function within it. He had successfully diffused the charged air between them by directly going to the cause. How she loved him. But the moment of temptation was gone. She hoped.

“From Gwihnna’s premonition.”

“Gwihnna? Kelenbah’s wife? What has she got to do with this? Are you saying she claims to have had a premonition about us?”

“About me.”

“And you believe it?”

“I – yes, I do.”

“Why?”

“Because of Bolar and Sashwa. They believe it. But it’s more than that, Khaiu. I can’t explain it, but it seems so real. And seeing you two again it has become very real.”

Khaiu took a breath and let it out slowly. “Well, I hadn’t planned on asking you for details, but since you hint it involves me and/or Shello, I guess I had better hear this. That is, assuming you are willing to tell?”

“I think I am. I trust you. And I want you to know.”

“I understand your hesitancy. You made yourself vulnerable to me that day when you offered me the greatest gift you could: your love for all time. I hurt you by not taking it. But I couldn’t, Tavaar. I’m not the one.” Her face must have shown her puzzlement, for he smiled. “Do not worry. I will not hurt you again. I will give you this warning: I tell Tura everything.”

“Everything?”

“Everything I remember.”