CHIAUJAENS ED CHARMENS

© Gildas Sagot & Bruno Giraudon pro id texte

© Philippe Mignon & Bruno Pilorget pro ia kwiters

Keldrilh is ministrell hieb emen id terrible decision os linkwes id gnomenrigo Guinpelforth.

Is hieb tyohgvt, pro un tempos quod maghiet ses meg long, ia pohltost banquets quer eet
plukwid-ye drohnken id leckerst bir, ia spehrds om pipendeumers (eysum eet un long pipe
ex meerschaum sculpt samt complicat motifs), ia gleimenparties inter sabikas, ia long
epoins ye quom waurmen ia joyplen accents os eys flute probud mehmens eni
cadanghen, id comfortable familiaritat siens hem – kaven in id flank ios ranghinst clin ios
region -, fin-ye id presence ed tenderesse sienen nityen....

Pon diens ed diens, Keldrilh is gnome eeghangneut in id furnace, unte id monoton ed

pusten aykwos windbaten ab aunstop sanddewers. Is tohr id desert (klut ka aunupergumt)
quod oistrohc, wester quem id rigo Guinpelforth, tiel vidleus. Id oit quod bohnd iom tuntos,
neter ject ni anghen habiet sagven renegihes iom id.

1
Tod-on solenn oit hieb is oiswohrt, oika diens auser, ye id trem sienios mehrndios
grandpater. So-pet qui hiebit buwen Keldrilh (kiem-yo tik galecker ed jocs) do un aunpaur
gnome, un talenteus gwehrder ed un emerit magician. Isswo hiebit parkwohrt, in sien
yuwent, id exploit quod Keldrilh eet enderghendend retyices.

Samt aghnuend kerd, so regwivit iter oins id moment kun id pallascus spect os eys
grandpater hieb ye un senst kero crucen eyso. Med un quasi sgwest voc swohr is sien
senst wekwos.

– Trans id desert lyehct id mund Dorgan, mahed nosters folk. Ad oc' niesen buit
dwigh' linkwes id, baygh diuper. Chuseer page do id enpace ed baschascha region
quer noster civilisation se paydrwn' nundiens. Ego som is sens' surviver tim
dehtors. Woidim od mi est nun tid os uperdehe ir secret. Tu sessies ids gawoun
taiptos.

2
In id kaul ios turst pam ios geront, quod deub rougs oistrihr, un jauhar blig wiswarg-ye.

– Ghend tod gemme, tib behrsiet nassib, ed swehr nun id oit ke tib ijapsies neter
tregv ni rahat pre retrehvus id harf tiens propater Timhrandil.

Leivend lent-ye sien hand, Keldrilh hieb swohrn tod spondgwaur oit. Satisfact, eys
grandpater sisit sien cap nifalle ep id wangher ed nabahsit :

– Tu saul ghehds redahe niesi folk id loikwn quod ieus-ye dehlct bayghe id. Tu saul
sies-pet retrehve Timhrandils harf. Dank tod gemme quod bieygh iom, ghehdies...

Id voc os eys grandpater se hieb forannt. Id blou os eyso specto kwecto forswohnd. Eys
pergamenlik hand hieb nifallen aun blosk ep ia kwita charsafs. Keldrilh hieb nastaht unte
un khvil, zaboun, medsu id kamer empedisen ab bizarre-ye sculpt meubles. Dind,
protievol, is hieb stighto tsay unte ia long endergrunddikhliz tiel dworis. Men id legv ed
xiaunkiwent hava os Guinpelforth hieb ei kwohcto gwaurod ed fade.

Keldrilh hieb tohrben ne minter quem tri diens pro sayge sien pawiropekus ad sien
aunnumer prients, joyeus gnomes qui regreteer iom netayim tantanadime, ed biey an
traurient mox iom dorgvst win is eet pro i.

Dunes lyohg apter dunes, aunmukhlat redighen ab un preusend wind quod naiwo
slaberiesc. Subter sien zirah (aun-yod is hieb naiwo ghohden gwive kafi diu pro stahale id
prestigieus titule os trollensayad), swois is med taungha ghutts. Sib autorisit sorbe oin
slung – tik oin slung – ex sien gourde. Eys gurgule eet tem tursen quem ei habiet est
impossible dughes id lytsto swon ex eys flute, esdi is habiet wohnen.

Ye id gheslot ker, is chohxit sieno map – bet kam util eet id in tod desert quos monotonia
eet interrupt ab neid ? Is radjustit ia korigas siens rucksack, sliv ia drighs os sien long
berd, strig id hamand siens twantao.

Samt cliht cap kay jidale protie solreverberation, Keldrilh stighit ghom id bergwnt klitu uns
deub dener. Id preusend wind formit smulk dewers qua bepulver med sand eys berd, ed is
dohlg hause ex sien deubst ressurces kay resiste id sol quod turs eys gurgule, prus eys
okwi ed crieckel eys lipps. In id gvrens ios desert, decen leuken dalg ud id Schildgabehrg,
id air kwecto vibrit.

Stayg, un annemlwond spectacle ! Fantastic ! In id centre ios kalpwrnt, Keldrilh hieb just
aunstohct un vast lac om Yapcristalls ! Po pauk meids tos precieus mineral, pelu
gnomettes esient parat ad katue. Hockend ep id grund, is kwahsit quar wassime quats
cristallen do un handchirk is nodit kaur-ye. Tsay do vatan, is obteniet un gohd pris ex sien
opsen. Un pris quod ei esiet kafi pro organise un expedition ed rikes tod desert, hamrahn
ab decens gnomen parat ad drehde vasya periles po bayga. Poskwo, is radjustit ep sien
omsa ia korigas os sien sack do quod is hieb meticuleus-ye kwiwen sien lwon.

– En route ! mlusit is jahar ka encouragement.

Lyt serter, Keldrilh se pariet ad uperghange id leizdo ios dener kun is dyohrc un delt samt
schimmernd colors.

3
 – Ajaban !

Uno gnome, samt un enorm bock in sien hand, sielg id delt ed iom invitit, med un
genereuso geste, ad comdrehnke.

– Skehptte me ! hul Keldrilh plurs, sammel kun is uperdrahsit id distance quod separit
iom ud id jasib wehlpen uns baygh khuld bir.

Way, kun is niek sien ziel, id delt ed is gnome vanier ! Rudh ob grasban, is hiemmer id
dune med sien hol gwis. Eys peungsta dub do id warm sando menxu strieke dakrus absrur
do eys berd.

– Mien rig po un herbehrg, un dohbro crovat, un pot bir ed un pohl' galliko ! Repetihsit
is tris ye khafi voc pre staue tsay muschkil-ye ed udglohmye.

Lyt poskwo, is emiss un rehmkwehster. Inter dwo hog dunes, is dyohrc dalgi ia prest oras
ios Schildgabehrg.

Alt in id respect iom loys ed traditions ios Imperium, sire Pereim is ritter hieb uperliten ia
etapes kyid magh : page, teken, ritter ; id imperial thron eet ye eyso schaecheing ! Bet id
titule swamen neti hieb xiawngjas prestige : id Imperium ne hieb stopen decline in id druna
iom secules. Ids waldh eet ne meis, baygh ops, quem formal. Id imperial askar hieb esen
demobilisen diutos, ed ne id centen rittern ios Gheslenokwen citad, nagor quos palats
bihieb taraks, ghohd regnihes loy uper ia pierna provinces.

Mimehnend sombre-ye, is bestigh ia stieupens ios Palat. Gentile leuds iom sellamiet ka
skaunst ritter tos tid. Is im respons aun pristope, isghi eet appellen ad id trem ios
ritterswamen. So, kemti tradition, vahsit ei uperdehe sien senst vols.

Kun is guarde stiup retro pri iom, Pereim lyt-ye stopit pod oino iom statues ardeht nengwn
id mur... Celindor is Lyut ! Eys marmorkweitos mehmih Pereim is eet ois un genti quos ielg
generation dughit quo ritterdem gnohsit ka gohdst. Is oistrif id pomel os Assilane, sienum
enchanten eins, pre entre id kamer os Siram iom Bogaturic, respectablest wir, isghi eet
eys pater...

Destull bare, id kyal eet muzlim-ye belucen ab dwo schamdans. Ant id crovat, eys mater
ed eys tri swesters eent gvehdend. Is uperwaurs id emotion quod oistrig iom. Id swoidlahn
lige os Siram wierdh in xep. Pereim wohkwit iom moribundo med un solenn ton :

– Ritterswamen, palek ios Imperium, protector iom tricent provincen, kemti tradition,
ho id privilege ed id dohlg os kwahe vies ultim vansch kay parkwehre id aun chitay
ed olghasce de behre id titule yu mi confersiete.

4
Siram ei rexit un hand quod Pereim ne dursit sizes. Id voc ios mehrtur cliengh in id smulko
kyal.

– Sunu, tu qui respectes loys tem scrupuleus-ye, retrehv id Presto Scut, symbol ed
sprijin os nies prev augos. Keiht in id mund Dorgan, dalg euster. Tem quem....

Un gvaltic kwast interrup id logos ios geront. Eys corpos oistohv, eys okwi ghyant kye
wehlusia. Ad Pereim kwohk od semject hieb just brohgen.

Kay dverwnes sien reidbiest, Pereim refusit, ye tod ker, id hehlp os sien teken. Is habiet ka
saul yed derv sokwis sieno maurk ed Assilane. Tod eet un extraordinar eins quos quanta
maghs Pereim sigwra naiwo gnohiet. Id hieb est kovachto tusents wetsen prever, ye un
zaman kun magia eet rhayir im menscims. Nimen kohgn id ghesor quod hieb kmeht id,
yed vasyi mualims ios grand bibliotheque ios Palat samstohm od id ne hieb esto dught ab
menscens. Sems hatta sigwreer od esiet ios sam gena quem id mythic Presto Scut, bet
pauk elements gwohm stehmtum tod deursic these. Quodkwe bih to, tod weben eet un
sokwi do quod Pereim dehsit sien hol trust. Is neti contit kam ops ids maghs au mayns
hieb salwt eys gwit.

Ye un senst ker, Pereim vols kya zannwent walls qua id vesperluce regwih...

5
Dwo yars prever hieb inkapen id sohkw os Pereim... Dwo yars om aziyats, katus, sighs ed
marloubias... Fortrehcus ep sien derv maurk, is ritter ne woisit so vahsit nehce unte tod
bawlaw deursia. Tod bedebah episode eehihantet eys memoria : id attaque im noctptergs,
tim mustring creatures samt poisonnoghs qui se sis pehde waurntos, hieb yed duret tik oik
instants... Oik instants fatal eysi reidbiest, qui nohc lent-ye, in un atroce gvol, tetanisen ab
id poison quod spohr do eys veines... Netehlim kwiters qua ei enfiell ielgs kun khalwa vyig
uper iom... Terrible vision quod is aundwoi naiwo kamyabiet chasse ex sieno ment. Bet is
hieb deciden nakwehre tod absurd sohkwo kay eys nehc ne buit vain. Pereim ghi dohlg
explore tod-on mund Dorgan quer tup id Presto Scut.

Hoyd, is ghieng saul unte ta steppes, lizden nordi ab hog aunupergumt behrgs ed sudi ab
un ocean hostile ad cada navigation. Aun Assilane, sien derv eins, habiet is ja lyohcto
ghom kay wehlpe ke tod implacable gvrenssol iom bad gvehniet. Bet id presence od ids
ment, arohct eni id enchantet miech, obligit iom ad continue... Quisghi ritter deursiet se
deshonore ant legendar Assilane ? « Sigwra ne ego ! » mohn Pereim, hausend ex sieno
myndert un eticrosct os energia kay nastiupes euster. Eys alafs minc, eys senst ghutt
jlampohn hieb est poht baygh diuper, eysa jambs gwauriesc... Nel animal dik sieno naster.
Neid trace os gwit. Teurst aziyiet iom stets meis. Stayg, ye id horizont, un nov element
prohp in tod skeud landspect... Samt pelubatend kerd, is trohv in se un insuspecto gwis ed
curs ye akster spehd... Ein pos ein, baysa ed speh lambh iom : kwe eet uno mirage, au id
fin os eys calvar.

Alnos kenenergia, Pereim fiell pod id wall os un genis lytil bunker. Id mer contact ios petra
plehsit iom med immense joy : tod ne eet un illusion, is hieb naken sien ziel ! Noroct, is
mien ithan, lyehgend ep id gvrin unte plur minutes. Lyt ed lyt, is khissit sien forces gwehme
tsay, hohlpt ab Assilane quod ei eeyiyeist tassalli-signals. Is oistieu tsay ed observit quo
ies sages ios Palat habient maghen kale « ia marks ios Imperium » : un grupp om
mutasalzal ruines, collaben walls, ed shienciu ghediplahn trebs... Ye id entrat, uno massive
aysen dwer sis endervide intro : un druv orlays perbohrg vasya detayls. Proscher, is kieusit
un inscription pwolkulct ab id moss quod covohr id dwer. Pos abskrehbus id med sien eins,
is lis :

TER WEHSE MEGDOS ED PACE

Samt nostalgia, is imaginit quo hieb ghohdt ses tod Ultim Wall, con sien ritters, tekens,
sergeants ed korels oistahnd wakht aunmalal kay protege id Imperium...

Immers in sien khayal, Pereim buit surpriden ab id behngos uns klep ex un prokwem
bouwen. Id desamat pondos os bihe luurt gnahsit stayg in iom. Kay yakinasce de, is decis
bestighes un pwolcollaben murpan ed penetrit un deusk treb. In id centre uns large sall, is
dyohrc uno mier petravatra, okwivid-ye dar intact menxu id dreuno meublar hieb-se dislut
unte wakt. Is lus fujutan tula pindukend-ye ep un brohct flise covohrt ab un teug
mossplack. Payn hieb is oistahn tsay kun un immense, meis quem dwis longer quem is,
cobra, stieu stridend ant iom ! Pereim ne kung ed exkardkiesch prompt-ye sien eins kun el
serpent rusch kyom, esdi ia iadedonts tal argist cobra eent pondost.

Pereim ghohd nices el serpent. Id cadaver al monster tohlp eni id hol wure ios kyal ! In un

6
kantun, oik smulki cobras disprohp do un anfractuositat ios mur ; is tun ghieb id
aggressivitat siens duschman. Sei is habiet i dyohrcen prever, naiwo habiet is penetret tod
klepstraht kyal quer sollit naturelika wehst ir mater. Betghi sa sollit habe un partner qui
sigwra ne eet dalg ! Pau inkapskwnd un nov katu, is emsit id decision os interrumpes sien
paursken yant is habiet trohft un put kay sgwenes sien teurst. Menxu id sol descensit
mliak-ye ye id horizont, is likwit tod loco kay ganises ex sien vurnsa lyt-ye dalger, pos
plehus sien outer. Pierni wierdh id masse uns forest quod eys map niem « Andaines ».

Long diens eededohneer pon Caythness iam Elementaliste hieb fortrohct ex Elfham, id
Feenrig. Un ordeilwent safer sub id impenetrable akmen uns aziyaten forest, starnd-ye ei
payn andhet paund quod sohrp medsu ia buskic khaluza. Pri iam, un hol fauna abfug samt
honar ptergenblosk we disprohp do warakendlasens ed uradelcracks. Id akster odor im
biesten se bliend ibs swadh profumes iom flors, quom gwaur urniforme corolls vienk inter
ia lascive lianes ed ia mossic trunks.

Caythness ghi hieb tyohgvt ia legv povestis riche-ye altiet med gold ed perles, ia profumet
vaporbalnias, ia aunfin banquets in quom druna success mutu mult ed dienghia pliats. Ia
neti dyeiiet pre diu ia peurks ep-yom corce crohsceer succulent blets, id Cristall insule
delicate-ye posen medsu id Corallenlac, ia rhayr-yakin semispalvs ios forest, ia palats ex
albh marmor kert med fragil colunnades, i scherzav albus ios enderalbyios. Ia neti auriet
pre diu id melodieus feenlingua...

Ia kung lyt ; uno moder mighel separit id forest os Elfham ud id mund Dorgan. Ia trohd
gwaukan-ye id sleubric drayl. Id mighel vulbh iam.

Yant ayso presto dieno raben

ab iam swad fee ud i menscens,
med id ross tam feen amen
ab el kormen, elfanimalem,
dank iom austere ed jabbar magum
alim prientina iom elements.

Caythness ghi hieb emt id decision os fortrehce do id mund Dorgan spehnd-ye retrehve
sien familia. Ays linsarvari lik in id wind, un weur yeusmen rig ayso zamten kojust ; ays
kormenlizdt cappa hiengit ghom do aykw ays twacbauts. Ia hieb myohrsen neter sien daga
samt minc ed fayn-ye kmeht miech, ni id lasim Buk iom Elements. Penk jauhars in un
beurs, ays laut omskinct, un wassime meriendwakel ex placunts, un gourde... Ia khiss
parat ad face cada eventualitat.

Id mighel swohnd... Tiel vidleuso strohc un xor lung, mliak-ye caressen ab id aghyernbrise.
Ia likw apter se id Feenrig, ja invisible sienims okwims. Her, id air eet frescher, id ghomo
meis kyehrsen, aglus tohr id swergos ed ia wilda torrents rolleer kaurder korkels in ir honar
ed glehdjic flutts. In tod safi ed nafsani mund, id stieure aysen soitsen wehsiet decuplet. Ia
ensorpsit schakhwani-ye id khuld brise ed kwohryit sien ghang.

Arkend ant se ia koviles qua niek ays lendv, Caythness gwahsit lent-ye, attentive dia id
kan im avs ed id odor iom flors tos immense orland quos surface wundel kam un ocean
sekwent ia caprices os un swad ed warm wind. Id charm os Dorgans Grand Plain, menxu

7
id sol descens ye occident, sbud in iam sem profund clanghs. Ye id end ios dien, uno
neskohpten wakya gwohm ad rumpes tod charm. Dalgi, eusttos ye alt syrat, un trupp
reidern trohc seid-ye kyam. Gohd au khak, id wehrtmen iom wakyas ay kwohk pre quant
bfuxiong. Also, kun centens aven, dekhschaten ab id hammern iom kaphs, bipluk, ia ne
kung pre merge bayna ia koviles kay remane nedyohrct.

Kohlen ab id vegetation, Caythness observit id prireiden os dwogimtia yeudmen armen

med lances, ed tanten dwiped creatures perikwehkend kam gigantesk plukels. Sub un
schikht om lurd ed duil, ies jenchis eent duni med grotesk vesdets. Plundrers ! Kam tolke
als tod mix om nippes, pells, waxen lieterbauts ed uniformpieces : blou sarvari, gehlb
kojust ed sword cappa. Vidend-ye id trupp halte payn cent penkgim peds trans id stet quer
ia tup, Caythness biey khiterst-ye. Yed ia windbohrt vocs rassureer iam fauran. Yeji quo ia
hieb just aurn, toy wirs ne hieb repert iam. Ies dohm un waun kay upernocte. Caythness
kung diu pre kehnse hakimer kwehre un detour kay kwohrye sien itner aun eme risks.

8
Id waun iom plundrern wohs dalg apter Caythness kun sa decis panges sieno, pos dwo
wassime hors ghang, ana uno smulk sprut. Yed, pre stahale rahat, ia ijieb un khvil ad
waurnobservation. Sei ays kehnsens eent exact, ia solliet linkwes tod region ios mund
Dorgan ye yant posdini, ye end ios aghyern. Bad, ia kas un soitos os attractivitat : ays lige
illuminit-se, ays kaysar bihsit argwrnten, ays topazen okwi twis, ays teint emsit un coloro
rhayir ei gwitu. Ays movs buir pregen ab un supernatural grace. Ays voc emsit un cristallin
ton uns rar purtat.

Kandjar is enchanter hieb khalal chust linkwes id Nebhencitad ed tyehgve (momentan-ye,

wohlp is) id bell future quod ei promiss eys mensdeh ed dexia, qua eys taukile do id grade
initieito ios Nevt Circule hieb nuper consecret. Quanti samstohm de vide iom ka iom futur
mayster ios Concil ios citad. Speit unanim radhs ed injunctions, is hiebit prefert se lance
do id sok po id mahed siens folk, id daumost ed legendar citado de quod eet narren od id
kwahsit id atmen im defunct enchantern.

Id immense extense ios Grand Mar separit iom taiper ud eys nityens ed eys vatancitad. Is
rid ep id bell strad quod duxit ex id porto do Dorgansburg. Yed is chassit fauran cada
khisses os nostalgia : ant iom, id imposanto Dorgansburg dohmit mynder-ye sien burja,
zanntors ed scharwakhts, qua kwohk tehle id agludengu swergos. Is senschalk os Dorgan,
warnen de eys visite, ee-intizarneut eys arriven pon dwo diens. Dank id premehnmonia tos
importantios dignitar poitt Kandjar habe un escorte – due sien rang anter quem sem
danger – om quar reiders. Toy eti eent okwivid-ye rohmen de stope ses eys badraks
kariban. Kam tanti mensci, ies redwoyeer mysterieusa soitsa ed mistrus enchanters. Eet
ver od id pondosto stature im leuds os Kandjars folk eet imposant ed attrieg aisic-ye
attention.

9
Pos tri diens uns amat mukam, is likwit Dorgansburg. Ia jixay deikens due id dabronia ios
senschalk hiebeer permitten ad Kandjar panges un destull accurat ijmalmap ios mund
Dorgan. Sekwent iom mayster os Dorgansburg, nordi, in ia dusgnohn regions qua
pionners nuptos ruyd, hieb Kandjar ia miersta chances os retrehve id trace om disparihn
civilisations. Is senschalk hieb acceptet kathalika ei ijabe id autorisation os ghyane ter un
scol os magia – solgo ghi eet id official ziel os eys mission in id mund Dorgan.

Kandjaro sriensit sieno mejban, quom is dienkit kerdwarm-ye pro eys maedwn
gostprimieve ed eys precieus imdadh. Is rid poskwo tsay do id port, dar con dohbrum
escorte. Ter, uno nav intizier eys reiken.

Ped-ye ed ye tod ker saulo liend Kandjar bad do Fenga, senst port pre id wakhschat. Id
pert hieb jinkdoun aun udwekwnwirtic incident. Bilkull fit, is trohd gwaukan-ye id dayluk.

10
Sien sack solid-ye kladen kata sien regv, sien suakwehn daga in ids kardkasch, sien
enchantergazd in hand, is exduilit ia diplas os sien robe, lyt gnitern pos plur saferdiens.

Dwo diens uns rlienxien exploration ios centre os Fenga hieb manthiht Kandjar pelu jects
dayir id wahid port tos region ios mund Dorgan. Id Ponte-Sirth, tricenten peden long dreun
dengjibrigv, separit pelu meis quem ia dwo oupers unios melnwedor fluv. Nordi strohc id
Uber Wastu, con sien empors, sien gatvas, ed un bryndo dwaschaw ormen leuds. Sudi,
riche baytels schaliesch quantens id urb hieb ka diutos pagen tajirs, ed notablens, quoy
bug id magh in id nam ios Burg. Nespekent tod rupture, quod Kandjar hieb ghohdt
constate yeji id muzlim numer em Fenganis qui tohr id Ponte-Sirth kay ihes ex uter ouper
do alter, i weikers tod citad eent brave leuds. In id nord quem in id sudo tos urb, is hieb
incontrit ne alyens quem maedwn ed smeihnd menscens. In tod loco quer eys buliende ne
remienit nedyohrct – eys cap wohs hoger quem tod al bulandst Fengani -, nimen hiebit
beviden taymania dia iom. Id aghyern ens kun is decis linkwes id urbcentre.

Pos un ghango quod hieb ei permiss aunstehge id beauteito iom riche quartiers, id
spectacle quod se pors taiper ad Kandjar neti surpris iom. Id palat ios gouverneur eet neid
alyo quem id exacto copie, in vaster porportions, iom schungjin rotundes is enchanter hieb
dyohrcen engwn ia large avenues ios Niter Wastu. So ghieng perodh kyid wahid dakhel ios
imposant edifice : un gwaur aysen dwer guardet ab quar soldats ios regularios armee os
Dorgan. Stayg, surregend ex apter un khaluz quer is remien teupend, un straj interposit-se
inter Kandjar ed id palat. So de mohld fauran is ghietskwit iom gouverneur. Is soldat, pos
blahvs horn, invitit Kandjar ad sehkwe iom tiel id dakhel ios palat. Ter, alyo palek sprohg
iom de id samdih. Tod anyowo hieb Kandjar ucen ex id stohm ios senschalk os
Dorgansburg, pau pre sien asimat. Oin instant serter, ia dwers ios palat zaghyahr apter
iom.

Sekwos iom wir qui hieb primt iom ye id dakhel ios palat, Kandjar ghieng trans un vast hall
samt murs covohrna med gwaur behangs, unte uno miero drab, dind un long sall samt
kyonkskeip tavan. Ocolo id kielken, ambh un weur table stohgen med maps, quar wirs
tolkeer jahar.

– Quom dehlgo io mehlde ? sprohg is guide volgus kye Kandjar.

– Kandjar, ex id Nebhencitad, antwohrd is ei wir qui, pos repeteihvs eys wekwos jahar
ed intelligible-ye, prohg iom kem intizier lyt.

Un pichen serter, eys guide sielg id kielken. Oino iom wirs trohp sien specto kye Kandjar.
Is clieck med sien hands dwis, obtenend fauran silence. Is rup tod silence pau poskwo,
declarend-ye ei enchanter :

– Sei un oulak ne habiet maun' me od yu shayad gwehmiete ad faungmoene me,

habiem naiwo credihn od un enchanter aiwo trehdiet Dorgansland. Est ver od, in
sien brev, is senschalk mi hat maung tolc' de vos... yed baygh pau de ia sababs
vosters gum' do Fenga. Way, is gouverneur uns tem piern province quem mien est
tik rar-ye admiss ad smyehre id secret im divs.

Kleund-ye bahe tom maturat wir, samt ja canut skolfas, Kandjar wois fauran con qualg
genos os anghen is dil. So hieb aundwoi gaissen sien gouverneurrang ep walus, yed is
khissit sien apankdehsa do tod piern wals ka un cruel humiliation. Waurnend-ye iom de
Kandjars gumt, is senschalk hieb deuysiht cada possibilitat os samstehmia inter tens dwo

11
wirs. Pro tom iracund gouverneur, ed nespekent sien origin, is enchanter eet un schija, in
neofficial mission pro Dorgansburgs conto. Pos un long silence, so wohkwyit,
interrumpend id druna os Kandjars brens.

– Ho credihn ghabe yu socte id prev ios mund Dorgan. In Fenga, est oin stet quer un
alim ghehdt trehve quo implehsiet eys weidaghigda. Alderic ! Duc nies gost bi Xern.
Ei dahm id autorisation os perlises vasya wehrgs nosters bibliotheque ed, sei is
vanscht, os reside kamlibt diu in nies palat.

Sekwos Alderic, pos oisransus iom gouverneur, Kandjar likw id palat. Pos lik preimen, oin
ject eet yakin : Fengas gouverneur ne revidiet iom pre diu !

Pon meis quem dwo hors, Pereim eeghangneut sub un aumber ed eet parmadht. Noroc-
ye, ia gwaur aglus likweer bad place ei waurnazur ed, pos oik minutes, id sol wierm iom
med sien bams. Nassib eet con iom ! Is hieb just bitrohdt un fliset via, meg comfortabler
kay nakwehre sien ghang. In tod gospoti land, is oistieun de aunstehge ia vestiges ios
fantastic orbat iom structor-ingenieurn ios nundiens disparihn Imperium : ia imposant
ardeht flises ex granite challengeer semptos ia repetihn hajoums om wind, seuy ed ios
perigumt im menscen. Tik oik wayzda kamyieb snehge do ia interstices. Bet tod detayl
khiek rencause id immuable aspect os Structorn Via, souverain indifferent ud id wakhschat
ambh id. Hois, id kwalay iom effrenat flutts brohg do mier garbs protie ia behrgs ios bai os
Sirth, mehmeihsa ios abadic jidal quod ia elements levreer ad mutu. Ciois strohc id glend,
impenetrable ed silent aykwos ios mier forest os Andaines, quod arohg jalous-ye sien
secrets….

Fauran, un staur baub ghohd udhonare unte un bragv instant id behngos ios mar in furia !
Impossible eet woide quetos id ! Kwe eet id effect os Pereims imagination ? Ei hieb
kwohken vide un part ios lays trehse, nibo lit de id brise quod sroht ia waraks… Mox
tehrbiet is eme un decision de id phenomen is hieb aurn, vice sehkwe id ambhriss os uno
smulk rass, tohr id sombre forest os Andaines, presumpt laz uns non-commun creature.

Is ritter viiey od id strieke ios safer illus iom ed od eet inutil venture prokwem id behrg. Ia
ozda iom drus ios forest os Andaines kwohk un vegetal akmen uper id via, permittend
paukims bams nake id grund. Itak diegh is un gwak. Id arg ios luce disprehpihsit un
dwaschaw smulken khamwsten samt immense sword okwi qui brug temos kay observe
iom. Nespekent sien buxianxu aspect, id forest ne sollit kehle mustring creatures. Sonst-ye
ja diutos habient ti smels diswarpen ! Bet, kam kay contradice iom, un baub udcliengh iter !
Neid dwoi, el simbvis ne sollit ses meis quem tri douzens om stieups dalg ud iom ! Unte
oin klaup, is rusch per ia khaluza. Lakin, eys maneuvre kwohk inefficient : un long faukh
swohn proscher eys endergumt….

Ne bihiet lohct od un ritter stieupiet retro ant un simbv, kamkwe staur el bih ! Assilane in
uter hand, sien gwak in alter, is rusch ex ia khaluza kay plage el gverem per surprise. Bet
eys cutts hihr tik-ye kenos ! Nel creature todih… Lakin, Pereim eet meg yakin os aurus el
ye oika stieupens dalg ud se ! Quod eet tod mysteir ? Is knigv regv-ye protiev un
drustamm, einsghesor. Neid attaque ud el monster, quel is mohn ses invisible. Prudent, is
remien ithan unte quasi oin pwolhor, sien quant senses in alerte : ploisko un genis lytil
wisel, tem oku quem blix, ed id abpleuk em dekhschaten avs samt albh regv ed blou pods
qui hieb lans prokwem aun vidus iom, eys intizar hieb neid brungos !

12
Dat neideti stabh eys ghang, Pereim tohryit id forest. Unte minter quem oin hor niek is id
leizd poskwo likw id samt id saul regret os ne vidus el creature quel emiss tem fantastic
baubs ! Kad sem dien habiet is wakto kay rikes tod loc ed satisface sien curiositat.

***

Oins kun is hieb uperghangen id soylo ios rotunde quod, ye circa tricent stieups dalg ud id
palat ios gouverneur os Selartz, herbohrg id bibliotheque, Kandjar ambchohx uno meist
inexspectet skau. Yant id dakhel, piles buken ludeer hina touche, meis quem nev stieups
hog, ia presta giams iom vitrals. Lyt-ye dalger, in ia meirongs ios edifice, is entrit un angh
corridor quer disaurdhen niek inimaginable proportions. Sehkwnd-ye Alderic, sub un tavan
taiper tem ghemo quem id dwigh ei magician ghange dwivrongh, is hieb id pondos os
penetre ia endra.

Id kowpen om buks, almanacha, atlas ed registers in ia dikhliz ios bibliotheque ios

gouverneur tem fascinit Kandjar quem is sa-waurgpuscit Alderic quan, aun maune, so hielt
medsu todkye corridor. Spehcend epter id omso siens guide, is magician aunstohg fauran
id sabab tos
exterwaurmen
stop : plur stieups
dalg ud iens, uno
smulk teguid wir,
staund ep sien
pedak, pit in vain
sniges un
volumineus wehrg
ep id hogsto tapwl
os un gjia.

13
- Un visitor pro mayster Xern, declarit Alderic med un ton de quod Kandjar ne wois an id
iskwit ses muadeb au goilisk.
- Iblis ! Kwe ne vids od som besic ?
- Wehlen ios gouverneur ! Gwut is guide quom kwecto khiter-ye plaisit interrumpes id
activitat os eys contolker.
- Balstohmen Alderic ! Petis hehlp me ad place tod buk ep ids gjia !

Kandjar kung unte oin instanto de kam sulouke, bet Alderics attitude turbit iom. So
desbuland orm bulgher kwecto kwohndit matyrium ! Isghi ierk mliak-ye sien guide med
sien denwrnt, dind gwohm prosch iom smulk wir hehlptum iom. Menxu Xern spohc surpris-
ye kyom magician, ad senter extreme-ye molicit gwupes un serieus wajkho. Naiwo hieb is
vis talgo clown face ! Un buchest ed dlegh lige, skider kays ep ia skolfas, okwi duben do ir
torms, un long ed vreg nas, long exterhalk dents… samt solgo protiokwo, tei Fengani ne
habiet molien bihe gastallt ab un trupp saltimbanken !

- Sinte me hehlpe vos, iey is ad Xern, enderwaurgend-ye uno smeih.

- Dank spollay, ei antwohrd is bibliothecar. Senter betrusit sien buk ad Kandjaro pre
declare ad Alderic :
- Exter mien vid, ed mien bibliotheque, tu ghyalir person !

Dat Alderic toghiengit gleihnd-ye med plen gurgule, Xern spohc ub ed sprohg iom
magician :
- Con quom ho io id honor ? Ed quod magho io kwehre pro vos ?

Kwohrn ia presentations ed Kandjar formulevs sien haja, Xerno mic ed oistris inter sien
dents.

- Un enchanter ex id Nebhencitad ! Quod un honor ! Exclamit is pre gwuntes, okwivid-ye

embarasset : way, id part ios bibliotheque quer wehst id wehrg interessatil vos est actual-
ye inaccessible !

Is magician insistit med vasya tons, leitend hin implore Xern ep sien genus (quo ei
permissit spehce seid do eys okwi).

- Scham vyeict uper Fenga, ed iom modeste sloug qui som, viitirief is clihnend-ye sien cap.
Un ratentrupp hat lahn un part ios bibliotheque. Ho kwohr’ quan’ kay budes iom
gouverneur ad hehlp net, in tod urb, quanti goile me, ed nimen kaur’ de id beur’ quod ti
balstohmt hayvans inflige mienims dorgv wehrgs. Cadadien, nov buks dispareihnt.
Cadanoct, auro ti smulk monsters qui gwehme ad graze id niterdeil miens dwer. Pon ja tri
yars jidalneum protie tod calamitat, aun hatta kamyabus vide id bors ios swayp uns rat. Ho
pit quant, aun success. Ti animals kwecto udneuse vasya subterfuges. Honnen’
poisongrains, vergeihn’ kapans we sleurnt ia aun aiwo bihe kapen. I de dwo saulhaurks io
hieb slut do id bibliotheque kay upertrehnes ti creatures…. Vahm bihe foll ! Ti smulk
predators, yed klut de ir gvertat, han’ mer-ye vaniet ! Yu qui ste enchanter, io vos iltije,
hehlpte me !

Kandjaro rahimiet tom wir, ed ne oik rats vahr stieupihes retro iom magician ! Un
spehdiutis prohp ep Xerns lige quan is ei mohld :
- Vahm hehlpe te.

14
- Dank, noble swamen. To exspectim ud un enchanter ex id Nebhencitad. Sehkw id dikhliz
quer wehsmos, dind gwah id pres’ corridor dexter quem te. Sei ghehds abdehe ti
balstohmt hayvans ud me, sagvsiem retrehve id buk quod te interesset. Nibo, weidwos,
hant ja praess id !

Entrevs id prest corridor dexter quem id dikhliz quer is wohs con Xern, Kandjar stahsit still.
Her eet id disaurdhen ye sien topp. Ia bibliotheques eent uperkladen med wehrgs ed piles
buken qua ludeer tiel id tavan, ed id demped eet oistraht med jasamats. Eys prest glanez
ei confirmit id vertat iom lafzen ios desbuland wir. Ia lieterjilids om pelu jasamats,
kenmathmoun, skieur ia traces om lytil ak dents. Stayg, uno mulayim grazen, ex id
ghemsto gjia uns prokwem bibliotheque, attraxit eys attention. Is exkardkieschit sien daga
ed gwohm proscher med wolfghang. Fauran, dwogimtia smulken gweitskend creatures,
samlik ad lytil chivchivs os brun color, diswaurs bachimien ed rusch inter eysa jambs. Is
neti wois quetro spehce, idghi numer tim hayvans eecicrehsct. Fujatan, un gvolo lahsit
brusk-ye eys brakh. « Tsintaos ! » mohn is dusascend-ye irresistible-ye. Pon secules
eepeitneunt i magicians in vain kape un specimen tos genos animalen. Way, tsintaos eent
rhayr-kheissas dia cutts birt ab un arme, bevis incredible resistence contra soitsa ed xihr id
magh os abdehe intrusens ye un oku weidos. Uno mer dehnken ed…. Chehxend-ye id
krewos os sien runc, is aunstohgit quar smulk torms qua explier eys presence tem dalg ud
Fengas bibliotheque. Dalgi, sub un dengu swergos, stieur ia varfs iom Rovar Ghyors.

***

O Deiwes ! Quayta generations menscen hieb esen tohrben kay ghyane tod perigumt ?
Quayt gwits kay baure id ghyor ed dehe ep dwo pillars id colossalo lintel quod tohr id hol
wure ios dervente... meis quem nevgimtia peden hog ? Quayta yars kay grehve un
fantastic creature ep ieter pillar : un pterctem reptilforme squamic biestem samt staur pods
ed srakut noghs ? Kamdiu kay grehve ep ieter face ios lintel uno message quod Keldrilh
ne kwahsit skwites ? Linkwnd sien perichehxen ios Scharkdwor, is gnome dyisit id
Schildgabehrg. Diewo ieusk, dahnd un pallo luce quod se reverberit ep ia varfs iom pics
qua stiengh id horizonto nordi ed sudi. Rharbi, id paund sohkw id crest ios gabehrg, quod
sohnk tiel id desert, tod desert quod gnomes libter niem « rig iom sands ed dewers ». Ye
tod aghyernsaat, apart smulk meongcins qui skrit weur circules in id waurn, nel animal eet
visible.

Id madh srigos tohr Keldrilhs vesters, kariekh id senst phalang eysen finghers ed skip
smulk stalactites qua hiengeer kata eys berd. Is krusel ed eys dents clieck, sternuend-ye
ex tid do tid. Neid seller quem uno smulk drehnko kay tehle id martyrium is endurit ! Is
aunstuppit sien alcoholflask. Id liquid prus eyso geusmen ed wierm eyso xiongbu. Unte un
cort instant, is myohrs id ordeil os upernoctus dworis in tod dusprimav region. Is restuppit
kaur-ye sien precieus botel. Stayg, un brusko clack, sohkwn ab un gvolcrie, attraxit eys
attention.

Badrakend quar prisoners bohndtens med gwaur zangirs, un grupp uns decen om jenchis
prohp ye cent penkgim peds dalg ud id Scharkdwor, trehcend kyid Salddal. Oins-ye
samghaten atopp id terraindipla quod perbohrg id ud Keldrilhs okwi, id trupp kwohryit sien
ghango kyom. Armet med loncs ed einsa, ies soldats dahr ir hol attention ibs dangers ios
paund, quod Keldrilh gnohsit sleubric. Neis ex iens kwecto hieb dyohrcen iom. Id kiestet
ios uniform iom soldats, dut med ein sarvari, ein ample gehlb camiss ed ein sword cappa,

15
anac un ubfallend contraste con id repulgend murdaria iren prisoners, vehsend ghompoik
lumps. Stayg, un nov clacko cliengh in id srig air. Oika stieups dalg ud un prisoner fallt ep
eysa genus, un jenchi swetrieg id longo koriga uns bich ed sammel exbohr horrible
rughats.

« Id vehsmen ne kwehrt iom munk », mohn Keldrilh vidend-ye iom wir bires un nov cutt os
bich ei prisoner qui kriemp ob gvol. Toy soldatkwehkwend yeudmi eent vil barbars quens
plaisit payttihes alyens barbars ! Ghate iens ne ei permittiet mukhtmel-ye woide meis de
tod mund, ni meis de eys sohkwo. Is parvols ud tod jalnic scene ed oistighit ghom id paund
kyid Mier Plain.

***

Id Turiban-Koth ! Id khaykou os Dorgans wahid fluv strohc face Pereim tiel id bou aykwos
ios Mier Mar, quod is tierk dalgi. Id Koth tohr med sinueus keungens ia riche ed pelupoik
aghers multen farms. Menxu id nocto gwohm, is dyohrc dalgi ia luces os Fenga, id gururic
tajircitad. Id brise quod hieb hamrahn iom tuntro eewehrwehrt do un gvaltic wind quod
bugh ia rar birgs, kam un ultim homage ei eurehpend sol. Bet neti eet wakto kay khayale ;
eys commun sense ei riedh bespehce ta omens os rlayu. Isghi spohd ub kay arrive do id
urbo pre id seuy.

Pereim ghieb kreins taiper id lakab os Fenga : id lucitad. Hol her kwecto repuls id nocto
kam kay nege ids existence : dabers naorbiet sweihnd-ye joyeus arias, dukandars haileer i
passants kay attrage i do ir schop ed im aunkehlder ia ter kohlen gheslo daumsa… Kathire
eent ia fanus iom maykhanas ed herbehrgs, quetos oiskiep honar ilays, in un khauris
hava. Bet stauneihndst eet todsmee blou substance quod diffus uno mliak luce do ia lytst
cotlans iom anghsten gatvas. Fauran, is arrivit ep uno meithel ep-yod un trupp
saltimbanken laabisit i vageks, qui xubh, ex tid do tid, piengs ex cuper au argwrnt ka
satisfaction. Druve-ye, tod urbo plaisit iom. Hatta id povestimode idsen weikern, im
Fenganis : gwens vohs long rogvs sohrn ye id bust ep-ya eent rissen complexe motifs ios
bellst effect, ia clenods twis med gheslo jars nocti ed ir-pet kaysar kwecto glimmrit med ia
colornuances tos feelik ambient. Ex tid do tid, passants questioneer iom de iro presence,
iom confundend con oino iom lieutenants ios Palat quod wohs ye alter ouper ios Koth, in
quo i Fenganis kiel, paradoxal-ye, id Niter Wastu. Is im explicit curtese-ye ir misaysa, dind
satisfiec ir curiositato de sien origin, zalissto de ir staunos. Pos oin hor sayr in id Uber
Wastu, is decis rahate in un herbehrg samt evocative nam. Is creschmer ios Plaisure ios
Palat prim iom samt uno mier smeih, lyt pior affectat ye eys gust. Is chus un kamer
ubdrabs. Ye id trem ios crovat, uno smulko lampe beluc id kyal med un jamile blou spalv.
Pre lyehge ghom, is kohlder iom med un woibhschtuk previden pro to. In temos, is nierc,
menxu exo, id seuy bifiell.

Ye id aghyern, Pereim buit protiebuden ab un solbam quod snohg inter ia stavens. Alnos fit
pos un excellent noct, is duit elangvert-ye ed lalend-ye joyeus-ye. Is pariet-se ad oistighes
ghom kun, curieus, is ieyr id kehlder ud sien lampe. Eys intuition buit verifien : nocts, neid
blou luce eet emitten. Ghyanus sien stavens, is buit pau surpris ab aunstehge un Uber
Wastu aun megil arg : id strad eet pau perikwohlen ye tod aghyernsaat, yed mox
pehldiet… Oik passants samt greis povestis kierdwn id skeud aspect tos quartier tem
chepran perncti. Is likwit sien kamer ed oistigh do id locanda kay eme un chifan unte-yod
is bitolkit con uno meg farfar mejanieber. Is plukwid informit iom de Fenga. Itak, is ritter
decis od is vahsit uperghange id wahid brigv ios urb kay visite ia riche quartiers ed gwahe

16
id Palat.

***

Pos plur diens ghang, Caythness arrivit bad ye id termin os sieno safer. Dalgi, ye id leizdo
ios forest os Andaines, ia dyohrc ia Mazrebs os Selartz qua stieur possowel. Un long
duilnebh, ye wassime distance ud id urb, dik id presence uns caravan quod ieg prosch id
lent-ye. Ia spohd ub, spehnda navaxe id pre entriet ia suburbs ios woibhcitad. Dwo hors
serter, ia glohm do id senst wogh uns convoy quod compris ne minter quem trigimtia tom,
kunkye id frontvan priwohgh ia presta delts. Udstraj face ays intrusion, is weghtor, un
geront samt marken ed bursen lige, remienit niem unte un khvil. Dind okwivid-ye subjugen
ab ays beauteit, is acceptit aun pnehse ay cedde un place nieb se. Menxu ia admirit, in id
sud os Selartz, ia gigantesk greis velaria khauriset samt pelupoik reiba ed ia mult
benderas id wind clackihsit in id air, Peter-Iohannes, professional tajir, satisfiec id curiositat
as Caythness antwehrdend-ye aysims questions.

Dank Peter-Iohannes, ia elementalistina math id citad Selartz eet un ouvert urb ed

composen ab quar meg distinct weiks. Sudi stahr ia Hog Mazrebs. Her, sub immense
delts, resis ies potis os Selartz, tajirs richihn ab torg, ed ir slougs, aventurers biht
milicionaires, orm leuds gastallt ka khadims ed artistes quanten kerdsen. Norder, engwn id
drayl quod tohr Selartz eusttos westtro, wohs id Quartier iom Contorn quer, in schopps
quanten megen, muss uno mercat comparable ei port Fenga, ei tajircitad os Westdorgan.
Ex aghyern do vesper, tod weik os Selartz, quer eent trohven ia gohdst herbehrgs ios urb,
gwivit in un permanent festhava. Trans ia Contors, prokwer id forest os Andaines, eet
entret id part ios urbios reservet ad Dorgans regular heir. Un trupp reidern, pleisten ex
Fenga ed id Burg, eet quartierto ter. Eet maimour med regnihes aurdhen urbi, ploisko ia
Hog Mazrebs, quer dwigh-se id loy iom milicionaires, ed med badrake ia mult convoys
qua, eusttro au westtro, tohr dangereus regions. Fin-ye, ye id leizdo ios forest os
Andaines, ed apank ud Selartz, lyohg id pauper weik, opser kalen Daumsenghehrd.
Installet in ia vestiges ios awios urb ios tid kun Selartz hieb tik un population om drutoms
ed prospectors, tod quartier hat biht asyle pro vasyalg aventurers ed pauper heroys in sok
po un illusor fortune. Tik id loy al nertst eet respecten in tod loco quer iesswo soldats
vergihr venture pos noctgumt. Dankus Peter-Iohannes, ia stighit ghom id wogho kun tod
gwohm pri ia presta delts iom suburbs os Selartz.

***

Id joy quod Kandjar hieb khisst, ja takriban oct hors prever, kun is hieb aunstohct id entrat
uns tunnel dohlven in id ghianshiek uns hogios ghyor ios Rovar, buit succedden taiper ab
un profundo malal. Kwe ob id pondost hava tos deusk gixiadau ? Id paur uns reusa ? Id
beangstend sensation os oistighes semper ghomer do id kerd ios ghyor ? Id crehscend
yakinia os luses eys wakt in tod buxianxu ed glehdjic stet ? Ye deuber is gwahsit, beluct ab
id supernaturalo luce os sieno magic gazd, ye diuter kwecto durit ielg minute.

Dec hors hieb dohnt kun is arrivit do id inghang unios madh balma. Ajiz, samt sohncta
traits, is observit un uperkwehlmend skau. Cer ed ter, sub un tormwent akmen, taungh
petrakowps oistrahr id meln grund. Ocolo id sixgimtia peden weur balma, un enorm perwnt
blockit id access ios tunnel. « Balstohmen un gixiadau ! » mohn Kandjar ed sammel

17
regretit bitter-ye gwahvs do tod chorsokak. Noroc-ye, is ne iskwit capitule pre kwenchauvs
vasya possible solutions. Su-eet id ghianshieko quod obstruxit id entrat ios gixiadau, ocolo
id balma, un aunupergumt obstacle, ei de kwohk necessar obtene pruv dayir to. Oin
instant serter niek is id centre ios grotte. Is dyohrc, levter quem se, ye penk peds hoge,
stragna symbols grohft in id sten. Is gwohm proscher dind, uter genu ghomi, swehbhihsit
id diutis os sien gazd ep ia figures, aunstehgend negnoht signes, maghses ia buksteivs
uns alphabet, ed anaglypts keipend joyels vasyen formes, kovachincutts, ed vasyalg
armes qua schahideer id upergumt, bariem id existence os un jenchifolk in id region iom
Rovar Ghyorn. Stayg, un suspecto blosk interrup eyso chehxen. Is akowsicit attentive-ye :
un dentenknar ! Is oispohc ub. Ep id sten ios balma wierdh id skadh uns forme quod vulbh
iom len-ye. Reagend per reflexe, is pivotit ed lur, unte un fraction os secunde, id hol augos
os sieno magic gazd.

18
Ex id jecto quod se pariet ad attaque Kandjar per surprise etilkwit neid, sonst un duilnebh
quod irritit eys gurgule ed pickit eys nastorms. Yeji quo is ghohd kehnse, dat id syrat unte-
yod id combat hieb jinkdout, tel gixiacreature tengicit ka un nev peds buland petrablock,
samt un immense stohm con plura roigs longen srakuten edonts. Is ambichohx id grotte
alnos udstraj, redwoind an alyi creatures oiskulk apter un petrakowp au protiev id sten.

- Per gheslo demons ! Strisit is inter sien dents.

Is hieb just aunstohct, payn tri peds trans id stet quer id perwnt blockit id access ei tunnel,
un dwor makht ex un glat ed polihno metall in-yos centre wohs grohft un kovacincutt. El
creature quel hieb piten nices iom kohl eno !

Kandjar lur lytil energiafawngdiens ielgs kun un petrakowp au un portion ios sten ei kwohk
suspect. To ei permiss nake eys objective. Bet, way, oik minutes serter, is dohlg tyehgve :
kweter is nud we ne id augos os sieno magic gazd, eys maghs khiekeer ghyane tod
balstohmen dwor. Is ghohd neid protie ia soitsa qua protexeer tod metall. Alnos decepen,
is decis ablinkwes. Dwogimtia horen serter, pos un longo ghang in-yos druna is hieb sib
ijaben dwo pauses oiken horen, is rik bad-ye dworis.

***

Yallah, kam chald ! Swehmbhend-ye id swoidos ep sien chol, Keldrilh decis ijabe sib uno
mukhlat. Pon hors eeghangneut possowel, ed lusit speh de nake id urb Selartzo pre
noctgumt. Is ann med plen pulmons id medv profume unios million floren kun uno
newohlpto blosk bliend-se ibs avencries. Nibo strieke drugh iom, isghi ieur un carrett !
Appliend-ye literal-ye un awo proverbo ios rigios Guinpelforth – sekwent-yod periglege est
seller quem neglege – is tup do ia koviles ios Mier Plain, in id leizdo ios paund quod duxit
do Selartz.

Oik minutes serter, is observit id carrett quod priwohgh ye minter quem tri peds dalg ud
iom. Eys weghtor, un yuwen qui yausit sien corpos ed cap sekwent ia takans ios paund,
vohs un roube quos qualitat ed kiestia anac un ubfallend contraste con id murdaria ios hog
woibhstega quod covohr eys tovars. Ep id dreu pagen ei dexter gon ios vehicule, Keldrilho
lis :

ALIXIRE OS YUWENT
MAYSTER SALONIC

Un charlatan ! Diuper hieb is neti tohrben diles con un dreughlehger qui durs pehrne im
pauper leuds id speh uns dwoter yuwent. Is hieb semper habt id profundst honn dia ti
wisayct brukhs qui, in id sellst fall, payn siegv pones un schina uni kiekwr. Unte uno mic, is
gnome rusch ex ia koviles, naviex id wogh, glohmit nieb Mayster Salonic ed exkardkieschit
sien daga declarend-ye :

- Neid geste ! Contente te med sehkwe tien itner ed antwehrde ad mien questions. Sei
remans sakwn, tib promitto salv gwit !

Id spect ios yuwen lit ex id lige ios ministrell do id ak os eys weben, id express staunos…
dind paur ! Balbalend-ye antwohrd Mayster Salonic eysims questions, ed sammel dwigh
sieni smulk albh ghei spehde ub. Pos dwo hors uns aunprobleme safer, Keldrilh dyohrc un

19
annemlwond skau ! Dalgi stieur ia Hog Mazrebs os Selartz, immense velaria ex greis
woibh atopp-ya lik pelupoik flags. Mayster Salonic ne hieb ei lught ! Nordtos sudtro eet id
urb formen ex quar suadistincta quartiers : id Drutomen Weik, lyehgend ye id leizd os
Andaines ; id Waunweik, quartierloc os Dorgans regularo reidheir ; id quartiern iom
Contorn, quer muss un cadadieno mercat ; ed id quartier iom Hog Mazrebs, reserven
xeimen iom wastupotis. Ye minter quem oin pwolleuk ud id urb, is gnome decis akape sien
periple ped-ye. Pre linkwes iom, Mayster Salonic hieb ei baygh recommanden ia
herbehrgs ye id leizdo ios forest os Andaines, ed warnen iom protie ia kathire khaters qua
menaceer gospotis in alter quartiers os Selartz, oins kun id nocto gwohm.

***

Pereim stahsit still quan is aunstohg id Ponte-Sirth. Tod schungjino meis quem tricent peds
long dreun leivbrigv spansit majestueus-ye uper id Kothye meis quem sixgim peds hoge.
Waurs ab uno mussalsalo flutt passanten, is kwohryit sien ghang. Niter aunstohg is,
engwn ia krants, mult empors ielg samt ir wi pier. Yando, mier fluvial barks eent palamarn
tibs. Dalger eustworts, is dyohrc un wakel drustammen extrohpen kyun artificialo lac pre
bihe yisen do oino iom stolarien ios Niter Wastu. Med sien hand ka visier, is ghohd hatta
vide wirs quoy drahr ep id fluv ex dru do dru kay stambhes ibs drives kyid Ponte-Sirth.
Westi, id febrile opos ios port, ye tod distance, kwehkihsit id un druv murmweik. Ghehdus
ocolo id brigv, is entrit id Niter Wastu.

Vice gatvas samt yando sanscha adoquins ios Uber Wastu, Pereim spasserit unte large
fliset avenues, lizdt ab sumptueus residences samt colunnades lyt pretensieus ye sien
gust. Nu-dominit id ostensible luxe im nov richen in tod residential quartier, aun dukandars
ni dabers. Ielg iom doms eet guardet ab lytst-ye ein soldat. Is ritter deduxit tetos od un
meg relative trust regnit inter i weikers. Eet ver od sei id interieur tom residences eet egal
iri exterieur, solleer tente furs ! Pos oin hor, id spectacle iom fayn-ye cisellt
marmorcolunnades, iom vitrals samt akster colors, iom bronzen dwors samt golden
anaglypts, bimaliel iom tantghi flagrant eet id mank os imaginationo nespekent ta costeus
artifices. Isghi decis gwahe id Palat ios Gouverneur aun meis kunges.

In tod residence, un queue uns penkgimtia leuden intizier ant id dakhel. Ye tod tempo,
Pereim tehrbiet skehpte plur hors pre ghehde uperstehmbhe id dwor ios Palat. Punor, is
aunstohg od soldats, yando hamraht ab civils, gwahr in ed ex unte un secundar entrat aun
bihe controlt. Samt eyso zirah, topfhelm ed eins, ne ei moliciet se samihes oini ex iens.
Lakin is decis naskehpte.

Unte sien quar hors intizar, Pereim vitolkit con iom wir qui stahsit ant iom in id massaf. Eet
un piwon gwiwotic tajir specialisen in id torg os dreu. Is ei gjuchienit sien kasseb, sien
safers do Kandaroth, un drutomenweiko quer is ghohd conclude meg-ye gohd contracts.

- Eti, gwut is oismeihnd-ye, id transport es’ gratis per id fluv. Id de repehrn ibs stolars os
Fenga nel-ye moliet, besonters quan ies chinchus dostringe un hangjow ios gouverneur
kay kardwne id weirflotte im Fenganis. Est eti, kam yu maghte aume to, id ziel miens visite
her.

Idghi verslyn tos tajir kwecto dlehr, ed Pereim regretit id absence tos type leuden in id
Imperium. Id mund Dorgan attrieg vasyalg aventurers qui prekhiss un oku expansion. Kun
is bahsit ep sien roig, is piwon tajir brovit :

20
- Yu vidte, som werumenos ed mehmo od sem nauts in cruise ye alter bors ios mund
pretens incontrevs ia vestiges ios Imperium ex quod yu sigwrte gwehme. Bet han’ naiwo
sayct alyo jec’ quem trehvus ruines. Tun, un gohd radh : is gouverneur est lyt paranoiak ed
is mehnsiet ste un spion sei yu ei lehcte tod storia it. Sameihte vos anter ei representer
uns barondem iom eusteppes, to kwehcsiet plausibler ed vos vergeihsiet eventual naos.

Is ritter dienk iom Fengani de eys clever radhs ed exmohn ia lughs is vahsit narre.

Bad Pereims tour ! So buit duct ab un guarde qui ne kohl sien surprise de vide un soldat
tolcskwe con iom gouverneur. Ye minst is ritter saygiet, ye minst is riskiet khilafe ed,
zowngschie, lit tik de un supostah ne-yei skul is antwehrde. Oik minutes serter, pos
passevs unte sumptueus dikhliz samt pelupoik marmors ed riche covehrs, is entrit id
bureau ios wastupoti, un penkgimtiat wir samt canut skolfas yed solid stature, ios
archetype ios veteran. Is oistahsit ub kay gostprimes Pereim ed iom mussafahit kreptic-ye
iom sellgwehmend-ye do id mund Dorgan. Ant id staunost wajkh ios ritter, so gwut :

- Mae ste surpriden, Mayster Delaub mi hat expliet vies fall. Tun, katha, yu paurscte ia
origins vosters barondem ?

Pre ei narre id storia is hieb exfikern, Pereim dienkit ment-ye iom tajir de eys hehlp. Ye id
fin os eys monologos, un sweurghdipla strihsit id chol ios gouverneur. Lyt-ye turben, is ei
sieyg :

- Weidwos, comprehendo vies motivations, bet nimen ghehdt confirme vies lafza ed mult
leuds sont interesset ab nies militar stieure in id iklime. Woidim od nies uperswamen, in id
Megil Rig, ne preiht maung id swobodia cid colonia brunct, lakin, is maght bihe assuren de
nies loyaltat. Ia rumors os independence sont tik gossips propagen ab troublars.

Eys mayn eet clar dayir iom ritter : is iom iey un spion. Lakin, is kwenchiieusit id possibilitat
kad Pereim esiet un secret schija os eys roy, quetos id ambigu attitude, bo suspeceus ed
curtese.

Kun is sielg id Palat, is ritter buit decepen de oliga informations divulgen ab iom
gouverneur : sekwent iom, is habiet meis chances kay obtene quo iskwit in Selartz quem
in Fenga. Quodkwe bih to, Pereimo ne eet dupet : is hiebit perfect-ye ghapt eys desire de
vide iom fortrehce ex id tajirurb.
***

Proscher ia presta delts iom soldats, Caythness kieu fauran id Waunweik eet organisen
sekwent un perfect symmetria. Ambh id centre, quer eet ghohrden ekwi ed woghs, eent
ardehn, kam ia speics uns rot, six roigs delten interyucten kay skipes buland logements.
Ye cada iom six entrats oistahr trin guarden armen med ein lance ed einum eins, ed
vehsend ein uniform ex ein gehlb kojust, ein blou sarvari, ein sword cappa ed lietern bauts
ios sam color. Dat ia arrivit ye oika stieups dalg ud ia piquets, ia sellamiet iens soldats,
declarit sien identitat ed mohld ia ghietskwit un officier qui ghehdiet ay dadwe sem
istikhbaras de id region.

Ies guardes chohxeer Caythness, aun bevide pior insistence, dind oin ex iens ay bad
antwohrd, med un dabron lakin autoritair ton :

21
- Ye mien megil regret, skeulo rejece vies eiskwen. Aundwoi ste nov in tid urb, yughi
kwecto ne woid od id access ei Waungordos est banen gwenims. Yu trehfsiete gohd
herbehrgs in id quartier iom Contorn, nibo yu gnohte id anyow iom Hog Mazrebs. Ne
skeulo dadwe informations ad visitors, yed magho vos dahe dwo gohd radhs : naiwo
venturet mon exter Selartz ed vergeihte id pauper quartier, quod pleisti ex nos kalmos id
Daumsenghehrd.

Ia rierz ! Ne poitte entre id Waunweik ob un stupid xiseypoint ay kwohk profund-ye

neprabh. Iaghi insistit bei guarde, bet so bevis inflexibilitat… Nibo drehde id trupp quartiern
in Selartz, ia khakiet penetre id gordos. Linkwus tod stet, ia buit uns khakstios dumos !

***

Menxu is likwit ia suburbs os Selartz kyid quartier iom Contorn, Keldrilh piu. Ambi id weru
drayl quod peritohr id wastu, ant ia clusa schops, kedays kladen samt grillen piskens ed
rosten miemsa eent dohmen. Sei mult vageks ne habient privols ed pfohrst iom goilisk-ye,
tod strad pleno med odors, gleimen ed songvs habiet ghohden ei dahe id pondos is hieb
koimriken. Is pariet-se ad entre un herbehrg samt jasib tamkha yed un greg attraxit eys
attention. Unte oino mic, un wassime part ios menegh gwohm ad closter ambh un dreun
takhta ep-yod un trupp saltimbanken ex quar gwens ed tri wirs, vehsend poik trakhs, tyic
acrobatic kyudsa.

Attract ab i leikars kam sider ab uno magnet, Keldrilh gwohm prosch id takhta, ghensit sien
cristallen flute ed kien in harmonia con iens dwo musicians. Roig pos roig jonglires,
pantomimes, dansers, funambules poskwo nackals, i saltimbanks nakwohr ir tamsil aun
etikaure de eys intrusion. Dwogim minutes serter, menxu dwo muscleus brakhs
glehmberihr iom ep id takhta, un athime oway mizd ia efforts ios trupp. Unte oino mic nu-
fiell decens om sildbwrs, edschi oik oyra, pod i leikars.

- Ed nun, do ia Mazrebs ! Declarit un wir samt oismeihnd lige. Tu de, gwut is samt un solid
handcutt do id regv ios gnome, gwehm con nos ! Id noc’ vaht ses long, ed tien virtuositat
niet bihe aunbelos kay hehlpe nos ad seduce Nintelhot.

Is decis fauran sehkwe sienens nov prients. Samt id kerd parpehldend med joy likw is id
mercat os Selartz kyid sud ios urb dind uperghieng id entrat ios quartier iom Hog Mazrebs.
Ia smeihs exchanget inter iens soldats ed i saltimbanks eent bfuaymey. Id trupp eet
sellgwohmen do id woibhcitad. Oik minutes serter, pos tehrus decen sallen sub id neihsa
os un squade om six soldats, entrit sub un opnos-ye decoren ed meublen velarium. In id
centre ios delt oistieusit oino iom dec masten qua stohm id woibhcitad : uno massive mast,
grohft samt delicate arabesques. Id swol eet covohrno med hogstahmen kelims samt
argwent colors. Cer ed ter lyohg plaut silken bolghis, fayn-ye altiet samt golden ed
argwrnten ribats.

- Habiet id megil familia im leikars os Selartz un nov recrut ? Declarit id flutelik voc uns wir
is ne hieb dyohrcen entrend-ye id sall. Gwehm prosch, lytil barbut, ed deik ad Nintelhot
quo sagvs.

22
Id spect eysen prients ghabih Keldrilh, kreins quem quodkwe wekwos, od habiet est
khitergwohmt refuse id behd ios wir qui wohsit seddend in un kantun ios sall, ep un bolghi
kafi plaut kay stehme quar corpulent gnomes. Nintelhot stier ei med sien sword penetrant
okwi kun so brigh sien cristallen flute do sien lipps. Menxu is kien ia sellsta tracks os sien
repertuar, is wastupoti yausit mliak-ye sien enorm cap, srehtend id rudh rica quod fiell ex
eyso chol tiel eyso stehlbend gwiwot. Kun is gnome zakien, pos oin horo recital, is mayster
ios citad kwecto hieb narcen.

- Pon id mohrt os Guerdern iom piernen ripas, flute hieb lusen sien gohds’ kaner, iey
Nintelhot ghyanend-ye brusk-ye sien okwi. Bariem to mieynim pre uperghiencst id soyl
miens baytel. Tod dien est un megil dien ! Smad dapane in id honor miens gost ed inkaptu
id fest ! Tu de, Mercil, iey is wehkwnd-ye oin im leikarn, tien mizdo sessiet ye id hoge
miens plaisure. Men gwehm prosch, lytil wir, mantheih me quis es, quo kwehrs, ed quetos
tu.

Posdini aghyern, ye id termin uns luxeus fest, Keldrilh decis linkwes id quartier iom Hog
Mazrebs. Protievol, Nintelhot ed Mercil cess eysi eiskwen, pos udprehgus sib id promiss
ke reikiet pre yarsend. Sumend-ye id druna os sien sohkwo, is mohn de ia istikhbaras is
hieb ghohden kwahe unte id noct. Stragn ed terrifianta storias kwohl in Selartzo de id
forest os Andaines, de id region iom muraischen ed de id nord ios urb, de quod quanti
tolkeer tik samt visible repugnance.

***

Ye prokwer id port, ye angher kwohk ia gatvas parpehldend med dabers, dukandars ed

vageks, qui endergwohm sub ia coschars kun un wogh prirusch unte id hol wure ios via.
Un akster odor os marsald ed ia cries uns dwaschaw meven is enderdyohrc inter ia tects
dik ad Pereim is arrivit prosch sien destination. Stayg, pos un waurgpusc, is niek ia
empors. Ter, un poik menegh eegighyehlt ambh grapsas menxu nauts swihr pri larinas
quas tenteer stinge iens. In id baraonda, is ritter gwup uter hand ep sien beurs ed ei kwohk
od ja dwis hieb tod prekaur ei permiss conserve eys wesu ! Is avis un leur meja exter un
creschma samt id tamkha ios Plott. Is sess claus ed hangjowit un chascha vin. Oik
minutes serter, is oismieg un scharab quod surpris khauris-ye eyso geusmen. Ambh iom
eet dar id sam gwiv, splendid ed yando goil spectacle. Is admirit dwo fullrighers ex qua
oiter enklied tovars ed oidih sien seghels ye ia cries ios capitanios mynder-ye kneigvend
olan-ye ep id reling. Pau wakto dohn pre un raudhclient ios bar gwohm ad sedde claus id
meja ios ritter kay ei propones mult informations po oika glasa, attract ab un gospoti kafi
baygat ye sien gust. Weidwos, Pereim acceptit eys wesnum ed klu iom attentive-ye.

Mox, so kieusit eys interesse pro ia sonterkweitus ios historia ios mundios Dorgan quod
eet in sibia con eys sohkwo :

- Sell swamen, ne som un alim, yed gnohm un extraordinar stet quetro magho duce vos…
- Ed de quod loc leit ? Interrogit iom is ritter kaurndo mae pehde do uno nerikeina.
- Oh, de un druve-ye special loc, chunke est id baytel os Ertol Aguil iom brukh. Iswert sagv’
bides con kohlt augsa ed transforme sien duschmans do pisk !
- Iblis ! Ed me ducskws tetro ?
- Nel-ye, ne som jenchi ed ne deursiem proscher quem mil penkcen’ peds ud eys hem. Ne
som kam yu, mien gwit est simple ed sakwn, ed sei magho algve oik oyra servicend-ye
gospotis, hol est sell !

23
Pereim wesnihsit unte oik instants. Vibeidus de id pris, is pieygh ei ed sohkwit iom ex id
urb.

Pon oin hor ghang, eys guide pfohrst id saul imara engwn uno smulk sakwn ed deserto
crick :

- Est ter ! Gohd, nun, tehrbo gwirlaye : mien gvibh me skehp’ pro obedd.

Is ritter sisit sien guide togwahe, credeihndo tarke in eys wekwos un certain paur suwen
ab tod kwecto pior sakwn landspect. Nastraj, Pereimo ghieng proscher id smulk
stragnokwehkend dom : id topp ios camin hieb id skeip uns piskcap samt ghyanto stohm,
ed id tect eet covohrno med argwrntic tegules samlika squamims ! Ambi un solid
isernmoinihto dwer eent dwo fensters samt clusa stavens qua hieb smulk piskenskeip
masgals. Prudent, is begir ia aunghyahsa murs. Punor, ana id mar, is trohv un wedren
gordos in-yod dwo mensccap delphins prokiel iom :

- Rahimatte, ghyante id sayp kay ghehdmos fuges, pre is horrible Ertol Aguil gehrt ed nos
obliget ad orbate pro iom kam sclavs !

Pre lures ti ormens creatures, is ritter kohns util de se informe de ia causes os ir situation.
Ti ei explier od eent, pre signe un pacto con iom brukh, mensci kam is ed od se hieb sisen
dupe. Bet, brusk-ye, bihr silent ed snahr do alter bors ios bassein. Pribudt ab ir attitude
change, is tentit retolke con i, bet in vain ! Id dwer ios domios knier, Pereim stiup jaldi dalg
ud id wedren gordos ed ghiengit kyid baytel ios brukh kamsei is habiet just arrivet. Un brun
wir samt sehrgstriht okwi, qui kwohk exhaust, stahsit ep id soylo ios dom. Yant is vis iom

24
ritter arrive, is ei propos gwehme in.

Pos kleuvs iom ritter long-ye, is brukh acquiescit. Is murmurit :

- Ya… Ya… Credeihm habe meg gohd informationsurces. Demon Handmar gnoht sigwra
id antwehrd. Bet yu tehrpsiete conclude un pac’ con iom. Aun contract, yu khacte wehlpe
eys hehlp, ed to est meg normal !

Id proposen ios domspoti eet clar, Pereim wois od sei acceptiet, is dehlgiet passe oika
yars loyal-ye sub id aegid uns infernal creature. Dat is kung, Ertol derdrit :

- Tun, yu karrarte ? Yu gwehmte ad sturbes me dind keuncte kam un nowngmin ant un

biest ad kurihnes. Hayte, saycte ya ed smad tyices id kyeuken !

Declinend id behd ios brukh, is ritter prekhiss od jects maghient duswehrte. Isghi decis
tospehde fauran. Is brukh, spiten, ei mlu gastrohls om hakaras, menxu Pereim togress.
Kun is ieur iom swehre soitsa, is bidrahsit. Eys reaction sigwra sielv eys gwit ar, plur peds
apter iom, un dru hieb just enflammet-se spontan-ye ! Norocto de ses exterschaecheing, is
kassiem neti restiupes do talg manhouss loc !

***

Arrivevs prokwem ia Hog Mazrebs os Selartz, Caythness ne stieun de retrehve, ep id

uniform iom quar guardes walsen ye id dakhel, ia colors iom benderas atopp ia dec masta
qua stohm id fantastic woibhimara : un golden hilal ep glend aptergrund. Ia gwohm prosch
iens yeudmens, bet ia hiebit payn begwahto trigimtia peden kyens kun oino iom guardes
iam wohl, jahar, abgires. Refusend cedde, Caythness insistit od ia ghietskwit iom poti iom
Hog Mazrebs.

Payn-ye hieb ia porgen sien haja kun ies guardes glihr ye plen ghyanu. Ne vidend druve-
ye quo miegh, in sien lafza, slures tant ilays, ia elementalistin exclamit :

- Kwe gospotis bihnt it primen do tod urb ? Ducte me viesi poti sonst ouzer’ fauran de vies
offense !

Just kun Caythnessa zaswohr sien jumla bihr tri long einsa exkardkaschen. Webenghesor,
ies straji observeer iam med un tehrgspect. Ia khissit sehrgo strehme do sien skolfas kun
oin ex iens zatieyc.

- Smos tri, bet dwodem alyi accursient ye id pres’ kal. Id anyow, sons’ diswarp !

Oins iter, ays misgnohsa ios mundios Dorgan ay reservit un desamat surprise. Sub ir bert
uniforms, toy hieb un atmen os spadassin. Sei ia insistiet, ays negnohsa ios anyow ibs
dadwiet un excellent pretexte kay harme iam ! Ia rierz de khake se dwinghes face tens
gamayds, yed ay kwohk ciautaunger subihes ia rughats iom milicionaires ed abvolge,
anter quem drehde penkdemtia wighen. Grasban, ia likw id Quartier iom Hog Mazrebs.

***

25
Pos upernoctus sub id gigantesk ozdos unios mier eghel, ye id extreme limite ios forest
quod ker ia Rovar Ghyors, Kandjar ghyienit sien okwi uni srig ed deusk octent. Uper iom,
un nert nordwind carricit teug aglus. Pon ghes vesper, is neti eededyohrcit ia varfs iom
hogst massifs. Is udglohmyit pos uno maigher chifan. In tod silent forest, tik un emerit
sayad ghehdiet kape sem wedirn. Rlayu menacit yed is trohfskwit un ghyorpasse pre
noctgumt.

Quar hors dohn pre is bad reperit id trace uns wegh, trans un large platforme, inter id
brenk flank ios ghyor ed un deub farj. Way, id aglutavan descens taiper kata ia cims ed ia
presta sneigvflockens prohp engwn ia oras iom Rovar Ghyors. Sei bighangiet ep tod
skarpo behrgsteigh, is incurriet id risk os face un rlayu dar dangereuser ob is tehrbiet
gwahe ka blind !

Ed id rlayu viplieg ia ghyorcims ios Rovar. Kandjar aunstohg un perigumt quod schrohnk
inter dwo karwent cresta. In id budmen ios anghpert quod perwnts empediseer, is vis un
gastieup, gluben ex idpet petra, quod duxit uni ghyahsa skaven in id ghyorflank. Is
magician stohmbh ep ia ja sneigvcovohrt ghianshieks, tiel id drab is oistigh tadbir-ye. Kafi
weru pro permitte id perigumt om tri wirs nieb mutu, ed kafi hog pro kem un creature dwis
bulander quem Kandjar ghehdiet penetre tetro, tod gixiadau buit, aundwoi, struct ab expert
ghesors. Id petra iom tunnelmurs, sword, glat ed poliht, hieb kwohnden neid schinghay ed
eys lige ghohd se reflege in id kam in un specule.

Is magician wohs trigimtia peden dalg ud id entrat ios tunnel. Is decis active sien gazd.
Kun un bliutengarb gwohl ex id magic item, repulgend id compacto temos quod regnit in in
tunnel, un extreme horror lambh iom. Dwo terrible creatures, genis weulosti twacvehsend
humanoids, wohs kohlt in id teni ios gixia, ye id sam distance, ed swohng enorm waghers.

Yed, Kandjaro pohnd to stragn. Dwo tem buland ed gwaur-ye armen creatures ne trehcient
aunblosk in un tunnel aun id lytst blosk ! Is iliey. Is eet parat ad bikatue protie dwo
petrastatues ! Is gwohm proscher ia gigants, lakin pribuden. Id zabd iom formes, id tune
iom traits, id prabhtat ed id force iom sentiments expressen kam uno mov… Id realisme
tom sculptures tem bfuyowih iom quem is vikung pre decide intizare id end ios rlayu, aun
iskwes manthes meis de tod stet.

Kandjar ijieb un sensto spect ibs petrastatues pre linkwes id tunneln, ye end os aghyern.
Id windo tour nordtos westtro ed dribh taiper ia aglus euster quem ia Rovar Ghyors. Dar-ye
srigehsit, bet id sol wierm iom lyt, menxu is sumit id druna os sien sohkwo.

***

Keldrilhs arriven prokwem ia wauns os Dorgans regular askar ne buit nedyohrct. Ye id

entrat uns long roig delten, kam existeer six samliks ambh id immense ekwengordos quod
occupit id centre ios Waunweik, id honar ed autoritair voc os un straj prokiel iom :

- Halt ! Quetro gwahte ?

Dyehrcend id now quod is guarde trohp seid kyom, is gnome antwohrd fauran :

26
- Mien nam est Keldrilh. Som ministrell. Tienxia desbulandst, bet is megst in talent. Sagvo
sehngve, kane flute, narre storias, drehnke meis bir unte oin noc’ quem dec viesen soldats
ed, sei yu me kehnste wirtic os vies gostprimieve, kwehre oik tamaskhurs miens repertuar.
Ud me yu habte neid baytu… ploisko baye mehre ob ilay !

Is straj pariet-se ad nabahe quando dwo alyi soldats prohp, bo vehsend ein blou sarvari,
eingehlb kojust, ein sword cappa ed reiderbauts. Bo wirs sielg un prokwem delt, kufyet
med ein helm ed einsghesor. Is gnome observit id smulk trupp quan oino iom soldats ei
sieyg :

- Naiwo refusems gostprimieve ei mussafer, sub id condition is acceptet nos uperdehe

sien armes pro id duren ios mukam.

Ne eet id buhsa unios gnome linkwes it eys precieusst wesu ! Posghi un longo gatolk ed
constatevs vid-ye od neis wir kwohl armet in id gordos ios vriyen viacceptit Keldrilh
uperdehe sien twantao. Oino iom guardes oisklied id fauran do id smulk delt quetos is hieb
just-ye salgen oin instant prever. Dind, reikend kyom gnome, is sieyg :

- Mae bayte. Vies arme est her in salvtat. Thome ! Gwut is samt un wehlton, tib betreuso
nies gost.

Sehkwnd-ye sien guide eni id gordos, Keldrilh prigwahsit pelu ateliers dabern, empors ed
logements reserven ibs krigars. Spehcend-ye seid ant se, is dyohrc id gohrd ios lagher ed,
perambh, mier schaters qua, yeji Thomes wekwos, schaliesch ia woikias iom officiern, ia
arsenals, ia dojongs, ia cucins, ed un cantine.

Pos ei deikus id baracko quer is ghehdiet trehve un laghercrovat pro id noct, Thome
declarit ad Keldrilh :

- Also sigwrs ghehde upertrehnes dec soldats ? Ego Thome te challenge ! Gwehm con me
do id cantine ios lagher, ed vidsiemos quoter rollsiet preter sub id meja !

Dwo hors ed oik pints serter, kun is gnome inkiep sien songvtour, diutos eesesniercit
Thome honar-ye, forohgven. Id cantine cliengh taiper med ia gleimens ed applausa ios
trupp. Stayg, un soldat quos helm subkihsit un blou ptilum entrit id sall, samt un lanterne in
hand. Aun hatta glanzes Keldrilh, is durs interrumpes oino iom bellst passagen ios saga os
Thrill Sonatson med un stehntor :

- Couvrefeu !

Id resignen lige iom soldats betrieur iom gnome. Med un flutelik voc, is prokiel iom intrus :

- Deursies tu refuse id glas os prientia ? Quanti her kwehke tem noroc’ de habe glewos.
Ma tar wazde un tem khauris moment ? Soldats ! Un pint pro vies officier ! Ed mae
myehrste me… ob pelu sesehngvus med plen pulmons, mien guragh teurs’ dangereus-
ye !

Ant eys deursia, is wiro remien aunannem unte uno moment. Ies soldats eent kam fix.
Okwivid-ye, ies neti wois kweter ies dohlg stahe ub we na-sedde. In id cantine, silence
taiper gwaurod, id hava bleusend. Oik minutes serter, Keldrilh sohgvyit, sub ia oways ed

27
joycries ios trupp. Is officier hieb vitaslimen eysims arguments, ed eys wekwos remaniet
proaiwo grohft in id memoria ios gnome :

- Ithan charmens mien gohdst soldats ! Tun estu, chunke quanti kwehke manghanen ab
tien talent, vos joino ye mien roig. Schehnko un drehnkrund ! Continuetu id fest !

Posdini aghyern, Thome protiebud Keldrilh. Neis hieb dursen sturbes iom kun, ob strieke,
is hieb narcen ep oino iom mejas ios cantine. Quod un foll noct ! Ed quod un daumost
mehmen ! Id mund Dorgan ei kwohk different kun is likw id reiderlagher, pos recuperevs
sien twantao ed sien sack.

***

Yant ia entrit ia suburbs ios Quartier iom Contorn, Caythness buit boderiht ab un
aurtavanbaurnd kwalay. Ambi id drayl, empors ed dabernateliers cliengheer med ia bloska
diversen opsen. Kovachi koveer incutts med ir isern hammers. Beursers sohngv
cheurnend-ye twacs. Stolars hoybeleer klaers, copels tiel ir glesens. Staur-ye muscleus
wirs oisklas woghs gleihnd-ye med plen gurgule. Pehrners haileer vageks po grillet carn,
cadadien items, rhayr-kimatih wehbhschtuks au dreun sculptures. Oik minutes serter,
wisuwaurgen, ia elementalistin sayrien se sinend-ye dribhes ab id menegh, krigen ab tod
pelupoiko skau aun equivalent in id Feenrig. Nihn random-ye, ia viniek id centre ios
Quartier iom Contorn. Payn-ye hieb ia ghanct pri ia presta schops ios grand mercat os
Selartz kun ia se khiss laht ab un medvia sentiment. Ia magasins upergrip ia trotuars,
linkwnda tik angh perigumts quer id waurgo clostrit, dens ed poikilo. Ia products eent meg
rarer ed deluxer quem quanta ia hieb ghohden vide entrend-ye do id citad. Ia hands iom
tajirn mien post ep kowps om precieus dibaja, joyelars perichohx ir clenods, id attention
iom armuriarn eet alnos consecren ei uperwakht iren kuzden, fayn miechen ed poliht
armurn. In ia rar stets likwn leudher ab iens dukandars, circules wiren, gwenen ed magven
periembh saltimbanks quanten professions, dansers, musicians, nackals iom incrediblest
legends…

Stayg, menxu ia gwohm prosch un keday samt fruits ed sabzi quetos lud fresch rayhas,
Caythness khiss od uno netos hando tentit teye ays beurs. Ia vols oku kay dyehrce iom
fur, un desbuland ludder qui, pos waurgpuscus oik spasserers, snohg sub un kedayo kay
antsalge ud iam. Quayque is ne hieb agen kafi jaldi pro raubhe ays wesu, so smulk
puschto stahiel un gohdo denda ! Se sehndend-ye med olancutts, ia tentit navaxe iom
copil qui, passend inter ia jambs uns tajir quos teint bihsit kirmiz, disprohp unte un instant
pre reprehpe ocolo id schop, exter schaecheingo ios dukandar. Alerten ab ia furieus cries
ios tajir, i sayraners pit immobilise iom feugnic. Bet, urander quem un angwi, so ghohd se
sehnde per id menegh, aun bihe kapt, ni navaxt ab iam. Caythness gir id keday om fruits
ed sabzi, aun luses iom magv ud vid. Fauran, un olbjimbuland wir weurer quem un butto
stieusit ant iam. Neid ghohd oistope ays elan, ed ia percuss iom orm wark, qui dribh iam
do sien fall, volveihnd id agrumenkladen keday. Ia fruits rolleer bachimien ed is pehrner,
furieus, bombardit iam med hakaras.

Menxu is weurngend tajir ed id menegh im sayranern apterspohc id fug ios schaghird-fur,

ed nespekent iom olbjim qui antgrip aysa jambs, Caythness brug id confusion kay sniges
dwo fruits do oin om sien geps.

- Po oin fur, semifura, susurit is wir qui hieb just oislut aysa saurs.

28
Ays larceino ne hieb est nedyohrct ! Lakin, id sakwnia, id smeih ed id susuren tos wir
reveleer maung de iom. Eys presence in tod loc, kunkye ia pariet-se ad ornuwes id
apterdrahsa, ne eet un coincidence ! Ia dil con un complice ios sekia qui hieb tentet
raubhe ays beurs !

- Mehm Racha ! Gwut discret-ye is olbjim qui, acceptend id hand ia rexit ei, stahsit tsay
samt un uriende eyso skayv speud ne sis tarke, poskwo toghieng ud id keday ios
fruitpehrner aun ay ijabe id lytst glanez.

Caythness lus iom wir ud vid kun ia conscicit id presence ios dukandar nieb se. Ia preferit
honne ays rughats ed bowrleyia ed ia abvols.

Lyt serter, oins kun ays beurs buit in salvtat in ayso sack, ia se blans iter ei menegh.
Sumend sien visite iom schops iom dabern ios Quartier iom Contorn, ia trohv ed kieup un
schungjino smulk sandcolor ed goldribata gepskar. Dind, in sien herbehrg, ia bignohsit
Keldrilh iom ministrell, ed bo decis comventure posdini do id Daumsenghehrd.

Nu-anac-se un affligend skau ibs okwims em Caythness ed Keldrilh kun i niek id pauper
quartier os Selartz, ye id leizdo ios forest os Andaines. Id prever drutomenweiko quod buit
edifien herkye pre id gumt iom tajirs, hiebit bihn un immense ed incredible implohca
caliven covohrn med trehn woibh, skeipend un inextricable meirongo smulken meln
gatvas. Id miser aspect tos urbpart oistrig ir kerds, tantghi im kwohk neieust od mensci
ghohd gwive in lik paupertat, ye minter quem oin leuk ud id opnos iom Hog Mazrebs. Pos
ghangus unte sem wakt, sub ia tehrgend spects wiren, gwenen ed magven i dyohrc tik ye
rar intervalls, kun un dwer enderghih bragv-ye we kun uno ninskadh snohg inter dwo
lachugas, i decis sehkwe id druna os uno smulk stehnkend sprut quer wieber swins ed
plukels. Id sol tup apter ia tects ed id gatva unte-yod gwahr iti eetitournt. I hieb tohrn quar
crucens ed jamben dwo spruts qua joineer tod prever kun i brusk-ye hielt, wehrtend ir caps
bachimien, nas in id wind ed akowsiend. Un atroce paur os pehde do uno maefuge lambh
stayg i.

Lakin, Caythness ed Keldrilh nagwahr inter ia gerger doms ios pauper quartier, kardehnd ir
angsto nespekent id teugerascend temos. Sohkweer strada tracen aun logique, jiembeer
pelu spruts, tohr mult ghabelskeip crucens ed vergihr aunnumer cul-de-sacs. Dwers
zaghyahr kun i gwohm prosch ed stavens clieck pri i. Stayg lud un crie quod yis kreusa do
ir spinas. Penkdem lumpvehsend mensci, ex qui tri gwens ed dwo terwns, rusch ex ia
adjacent gatvas, ant ed apter i. Oct faceer i, armen med vasyalg falakhwns ed aykems.
Septa stahr za i, dagaghesor, parat ad im interdehe cada retraite. Hiebeer pohden do uno
maefuge !

- Racha ! Cricit Caythness recogneihnd-ye, medsu sien hajoumers, id gastalt ios olbjim ia
hieb incontren unte sien exploration ios Quartier iom Contorn.
- Iblis ! Exclamit is wir gwehmend proscher iam. Meg diutos ne hieb durst un tarnien
venture do nies ghehrd pos noctgumt, hatta ia nraveihndst fruitenfura ho aiw
incontren...Kwe te apterreidt id cavalerie ?

Spehcend ub seid do ia okwi ios wir, ia declarit med un darm voc :

29
- Ne bihm persohkwn ed mien beurs est tem tuich quem mien stomak.
- Ne aus deursia, antwohrd is olbjim, yed to ne me desplaist. Lakin has infragen nies loy.
Wey, gheusi os Selartz, neicmos i gospotis qui penetren’ nocts do nies territorium.
- Way, ieyit ia, habiem tohrp’ klues ia chankramas ios Quartier iom Contorn. Bet skehpte !
Mae aunstehmte nos aun aure me…
- Basta, mlu Racha aun sines iam nabahe. Kleute me quanti ! Ed ke quanti accepte id
huckem ios roy ! Linkwsiemos salv gwit tay gwen ed tei gnome.

Hol perambh ludeer deceptionsclamors, bet nel kenkseg swohr id lytst protest. Okwivid-ye,
Racha kwohr id loy in ia rangs im brigands.

- Bet, po oin fur, semifura, gwut is roy ios Daumsenghehrd, samt uno smeih ep sien lips.
Vies gwits me valntu un smulk sacrifice. Smad exchange nies dagas ed yu poittsiete
abgwahe leur.

Vergeihnd un katu de quod ia wois in perodhia id duciet uni fatal hassile, Caythness
acceptit id wesno proposen ab Racha. Meg protievol, ia cessit sien daga po id weben ios
olbjim.

- Kamo suaduct manafis ! Nabahsit Racha. Mien gheusi vos neihsien’ do id limite nosters
territorium. Lakin, sei yu vanschte semdien bihe oin em nos, reicte vide me. Habsiem
semper un mission ad vos propones. Bet vos warno ! Sei yu buncskwte vies talents in tod
urb, woidte od quanti her mi vehrse id dwidel iren gains, ed od nehc gvehn’ quel me
dreught.

Oin hor serter, in id forest os Andaines, ye oik centens peden ud id leizd ed ud ia limites
ios pauper quartier, Keldrilh ed Caythness installeer un summar bivuack, vergeihndi daghe
un koister ib attragiet attention. Pon oin wassime pwolhor, i sayids os Racha eelelikweer i,
ed eent yakin od ne eesesohkweer i. Caythness finghrit febreus-ye Rachas daga. Molicit
narce tant ay elementalistin quem ei gnome.

***

Kandjar ed Pereim incontreer mutu ep Rockenpasse ed decis comventure. Eent

comghangend kun un suspecto blosk, apter iens, alertit iens.

Face danger, bo exkardkiesch machinal-ye ir webens. Ye oika stieups ud iens, nespekent

id absence os wind, ia koviles oisroht. Semjecto stohmbhit proscher, kam kay attaque i
caudtos.

Ne exspecteer to ! Ne unis monster sontern un wir surrexit ex ia koviles, accoutret samt un

pelupoiko camiss ed un glend kalmhat con un long gehlbo plume. Med uter hand, is liv un
long dreun gazd ed radjustit sien kufya. Med alter, is oisliv delicate-ye ia drighs ios
abundantios moustache quod skeirmierk eys buchest lige. Pos un instant quod kwohkit
kam un abad ibs aventurers, is clih sien cap ed rup id silence, okwivid-ye embarasset.

30
- Vos sehkwo pon yu habte arriven do Rockenpasse bet io ne durs priwehkwe vos, ibo vos
enwoghliem. Tod region est dangereus ed, dat sohkwam id sam direction, mienskwim nieb
vos aun bihe kaut. Sei yu vanschte, maghiemos comkwehre un itnerdeil. Sagvo katue ed,
sei habsiemos wakt, vos deicsiem oik janters qua son’ mien rounas.

Janters ! Kandjar enderwaurs uno smeih vidend-ye iom wir salgihes tri smulk balls ex un
twacbeurs. Un saltimbank ! Is magician ed Pereim renkardkiesch ir webens, sinend iom
prosch. Oin instant serter, ies tri comghiengeer nieb mutu, tolkend amat-ye ed exchangend
scherza de qua ir nov sokwi kwohk besonters pritor. Inter dwo massals, ies aventurers
math od Sidon siefer maung, ex Selartz do Fenga, via id drutomenweiko Kandaroth. Ies
iliey de id akhir tamaskhur os ir sokwi kun un gigantesk creature klieup ep iom, reuschend
ex ia koviles quer el eet teupend. Udstraj face id attaque al monster, bo prispohceer kam

31
keraunen id katu quod oistiert inter tel genis twacvehsend humanoid ed Sidon qui, in un
desperat reflexe, rexit sien gazd kyel. Unte oin fraction secunde, id combat ens. Sidon fiell
nict, zanchout ab un staur ed noghwent hand. Ex de eys duschman tik uno smulk burkowp
dar weitwoss els existence. Subsistit neid trace ios gazd os Sidon. In hol hast, Kandjar
obsokit eys vesters. Is trohv un ieschke chamak in oin eysen geps, un beurs
mathmounend tri lietern balls ed penk sildbwrs tem quem un fayn-ye kmehto daga is kohl
in sien baut.

Observend-ye id daga ios miser Sidon, Kandjar gwohm tsay do aum. Pos hol, kad id
attaque tal coschmarisk creature hieb salven iom ed Pereim ud un grand danger. So wir,
qui hieb sagven vibihe trust ab iens se presentend-ye ka saltimbank, eet shayad oin im
multen plundrern qui infesteer id region. Is magician regretit id disparition ios gazd quod
habiet ghohden gnopihes iom meis de tom wisaygen jonglire, lakin tem prihsit id
aunstehgen tos daga quem is xubh sieno do ia koviles. Pos ijabus un sensto spect ei
cadaver irs oinhor sokwi, bo aventurers kwohryeer ir ghang.

Stayg, gwehlend ex ia koviles quer el tup, un immense creature klieup kye Pereim ed
Kandjar. Mergend-ye, bo vergihr meg gnebh id attaque al monster, quel criesch ep id
paund, six peds apter iens. Stahr tsay samt precipitation, impatienti de todrahe. Bet afa eet
con iens ! Ye penkdem peds dalg ud iens, un dwoter creature prohp. Kert inter ti dwo
monsters armen med petrawaghers, ies alnos tyohgveer fuges. Un gvero rictus dusformit
id lige tim twacvehsend humanoids.

Kandjar kas fauran un soitos os slabereihsa quod mers eys duschmans do un stand os
profundo strieke ed Pereim bir im dwo cutts. Ye id dwot hajoum, pallex ed pfehrsta yugen,
is magician kyuk ia forces os mohrt contra ta os gwit. Ep ia corpsa eysen duschmans
prohp long arus, quo hohlp iom ritter ad gvehne i. Bo aventurers ghohd gratule mutu de ir
sigh…. Ed de decidus allie-se pro id commun sohkwo !

Id safer do Selartz buit long, bet ir efforts buir mizdt ! Ye id leizdo ios forest os Andaines,
face id Mier Plain, un immense woibhcitado strohc ant Pereim ed Kandjar sbei okwi : ies
dyohrc ye id peripheria ia wauns iom reidern ; nieb id centre, immense mazrebs oistieur
mynder-ye kyun aunnebh waurn. Id aspect iom raren dreun doms engwn id foresto skip un
stauneihnd contraste con ia gheslo schimmernd colors iom delts perpetual-ye scuss ab id
sudtos wind. Atopp oik mazrebs, weur banders oislohnk ed disvolveer ambh ir masta kam
gigantavs qui se streubhient kay se lures ex ir kurni. Selartz, id aunwall citad, eet ghyant
vasyims mussafers : her, neid control iom entrens ni chehxen ios mathmoun iom woghs
qua empediseer ia perigumts inter ia delts, lure kwecto regnit aunspehrd.

***

Id temperature eet mliak ed Caythness ed Keldrilh consecreer lyt wakt ad sammel blets ed
trufels, qua abundeer in tod part ios forest. Trans id brem, i dyohrc id sol, dar hog waurni.
Bet ye deuber do id saun ed luxuriant enderbosc, ye minter gwit incontreer. Mensc hiebit
pregen tod loc, kam weitwodden ab id absence mieren predatorn. Ye cada instant,
exspecteer incontre sayads. Pau wakto dohn pre i emers brusk-ye ex idpet forest. I wohs
ye id kenar uns vast lawc divis in dwo ab id fluv Koth. Un yeusmen ex tohmen drus, circa
oin quardel leuk weur, separit i ud id agros perambh Kandaroth, un tanghu moinkingen

32
weik. Minter quem tricent peds ud i, dwogimtia wiren segeer dreu. Ambh iens, tem maungi
gwens ed magvi siemmel ub ozda i klied ep un veut carretta tract ab dwo piwon ekwens.
Dalger, trans id ghomstrei reservet ibs drutoms, weikers ambismisseer semens ed
installeer buland lumpcovohrta straschila. Id importance ios lawcios kwecto dik od id dehti
tos varosch ne eet meis quem dwoat. Pehndend id visite tos recent agglomeration pau
interessant, ia elementalistin ed is ministrell decis ne stope sontern gires id lac aun linkwes
id leizdo ios forest.

Oik minutes serter, ir aurs buir attragen ab un stump ed schaki blosk. Kohlen apter un
arbustenbunge, observeer un scene quod oistrig ir kerds. Oika stieups dalg ud i, uno mono
magv dohrjit sien cap inter sien hands ed hol plieng. Vide un tem yun pwarn in solgo
gjiano ne liess i rhayr-kheissas. Caythness decisit smyehre id gvol tos menscikios ed kiel
iom med un swadh ed prientlik voc.

- Kwehcs tem biedan quem ho khac’ mi stambhes gwehme ad vide te. Leit semjec’ skeir ?

33
Medsu un trauric lige, un aunarg spect vols kyam.

- Mien pater swehpt, antwohrd is pwarn qui sammel iengh sien peungsta, ed neid ni
anghen ghehdt protiebudes iom.

Ia elementalistin gwohm prosch mliak-ye ed, oins kun buit ep sien genus, ia gwut :
- Duc me bei. Ghehdo kwehre semjec’ pro te.

Un stayg spehdiutis prohp in ia okwi ios magv, bet tod sgwes quasi fauran.

- Saycte, ne ste un yasa ?

- Un yasa ! Sei esiem oina, suppono te habiem ja praedden ! Mae bayas, ed hassa mae
aunkehlder noster secret saygend-ye alyims od gwehmo ad ilaje tien pater. Kwehr mer-ye
kamsei te habiem prohc’ ke me ducs tiel id herbehrg ios weik. Nun, spehd ad mi dikes id
itner.

Bo aventurers sohkweer iom yun pwarn qui dohrj id hand as Caythness, ed sammel de ia
riska i incurs in tod region em superstitieus menscens. Pierntos, oik nowngmins prokiel
iom magv, bet quanti iendh neempediset id distance quod separit i ud id moin, ed
uperghieng id wahid accessdwor aun budes iens dwo guardes ad suspece, hieb-yoy,
okwivid-ye fascinet ab id beauteito ias elementalistin, se contenten med iskwes im oik
routine werds. Yant i hieb entret id weik, bo aventurers ubfiell id mergist murdaria medsu-
yod gwiveer ids habitants. Swins ed plukels erreer leur-ye ep id meln ed scomberstraht
grund unios netwehrg om anghperts. In id centre ios varosch, un hog gransilo uperkih
trigimtia mieren doms ex qua tik decen, occupen ab schops om kovachens, buttars au
stolars, compris ein etage.

Kun Keldrilh ed Caythness penetreer id dom os Methel iom drutom ed eysias esor Elmire,
ir oin son Faon hieb ja manthihn i od, unte dwo yars, circa dwocent leuds hieb pagen in
Kandaroth, samt id commerce au id artisanat os dreu ka parwarisch. Ti quant anghens
orbiet pro id conto iom richen saudaghern om Fenga ed Selartz, bieyeer ia malefices ios
forest ed vergihr hol besonters id nord os Andaines. Posdini vesper, pos oino yawm uns
terrible combat contra mohrt, i aventurers prim samt rehmen id ganeisen ios drutom ed ia
joydakrus qua rohn ep ia liges iren nov prients. Ia elementalistin hieb vighohden gnebh
salve Methel ud id mahibe poison quod sigwra eedreidreibht iom do un irremediable fin.
Faon ed Elmire sbei danks emoveer iam, bet ia ed is gnome spruv sem scrupules de
smyehre id recupern noroc tos familia. Caythness pretextit de un piern cousin qui
eeskehptneut iam pon id predien in id Herbehrg ios Srakut Aper. Elmire ed Methel ne eent
dupet ab ayso stratagem, bet, respectend ays vol, i ne sis id apparihes.

Keldrilh ed Caythness ghieng unte decen minuten, dind pusceer id dwer uns honar
herbehrg, dyehrcend, trans un dumcortin, un vast locanda quer penkgimtia drutomen claus
mejas eedidrehnke taungh birbocks. I hiebeer payn-ye stiupen kyom creschmer kun decen
om alcoholisen ed libidineusa spects vols kye Caythness. Id jalnic aspect tom
nippenvehsend wirs ed id irritant thamf om tabac, bir ed malodorant swoid regretihsit i id
swadh wierme ios hem os Methels familia.

Parvolgend-ye brusk-ye, Keldrilh ed Caythness decis linkwes tod stet quod, sekwent ira
criteria, samkwohk meis un tugur quem un herbehrg. Abandoneer tens orm warks iri litu ed

34
rik id dom sienen prients, quer id joyeus gleimen os Faon gostprim i.

Ye neid moment pon id inkapem os sien sohkw eekekhissit Caythnessa samt tanto
nostalgia id piernses ud id Feenrig. In tod stamberg, menxu ia kien ed sohngv oik
melodias ex Elfham, ays kerd vibrit in harmonia con id noroc tim simple ed genereusen
leuds. Pos un soup samt un khlayb, charcuterie ed oin chascha bir, ia ed Keldrilh khalal
accepteer un suastahalt rahat. Lakin, just pre narce, ia elementalistina mohmit Methels
wekwos :
- In id forest, norder quem id village, menxu io hieb van’ mon sem drugensa rarer quem ta
vis her, ho trohven ia ruines os citad ex cristall ed glas, tem quem schungjin smulk sword
flors quommed ho kwohrskwt un bouquete. Un bouquete quod quasi costit mien gwit !
Payn-ye hieb io respiret id profume tom flors kun mien cap dusiesc. Tun, jidalend med
mien hol force contra id poison quod blens mien vid ed slabih mien corpos, ho pit joine id
village ed ho bayaldisset ye id leizd nosters lawc.

Posdini, oin horo pre solweus, i aventurers likw id dom os Methel, dind id village os
Kandaroth, udglehmus ia nev peds ios dreunios moin. Kam unte sien asimat ex Elfham,
Caythness preferit vergihes kerddehrnd adieus. Ayso saul regret buit ne vidus id joyplen
protiokw os Faon quan is trehviet, ye sien gehren, id micri star ia hiebit placet do eys pam.
In id druna iom yarn, id Elfham staro crehsciet con iom, kikayjinend eys ghabs pro songv
ed music. Aun volge, i rik id leizdo ios forest.

***

35
Id Quartier iom Contorn os Selartz ne decepit Pereim ed Kandjar : installet engwn id wahid
strad quod iendh id citad eusttos westtro, ta parpohld med creschmas, herbehrgs, dabers
ed saudaghers. Tod chepran economic opos attrieg uno muhim menegh, yando distract ab
oik saltimbanks au druv actors qui improviseer scenes quom themes lit ex id popularst
vaudeville do id emovantsto tragedia. To hol movit, waurgpuscit ed hakarit mutu yando, bet
naiwo grave-ye, ar khauris stumia kwohk id apanage tos quartier. Un odor om rosten
miems ed grillen pisk mehmih iens od ne hiebeer bad obedden. Ye tod ker, likweer ghi ir
pastiurma in id budmen irs tagargik ed brucskweer tod galecker. Opteer pro mutonsfuds.
Payn-ye hieb ies guraght ia kun is dukandar, uno maigher maur wir samt kerdwarmo
smeih, propos ibs alya, samt bols om pommesfrites ed bicairs os frescho jlampohn. Ies se
sis tente ab un lecker obedd, ed brug tod waurmen kay tolke con tom ambulant veneg.

Naturelika farfar, so gjuchienit ibs sien opos ed gwit. Gwohmen, six munts prever, ex id
tajircitad Fenga, is hieb trohft her un ideal loco kay antplehce sien commerce. Id absence
os torglicence ed id layn quod oino iom richen tajirn pagen in ia Hog Mazrebs hieb ei ijapt
eent ia dwo major sababs os eyso success, sekwent eys wekwos. In dwo au tri yars, is
construcskwit un petramur vice id woibh is nud taiper. Unte minter quem penk yars, is
habiet rembursto sien dulg ad Nintelhot, ei tajirpeurst, ed kad, samt lyt nassib ed maung
denars, oin eysen sons maghiet joine id cultivet elite quod gwivit ambh ia Hog Mazrebs.
Eys optimiste eet khauris visu. Lakin, tod narno ne meg hohlp Kandjar ed Pereim, itak
likweer tod loc pro id Daumsenghehrd quer, maghses, maghient glane sema meis util
informations !

Id weiko ios Daumsenghehrd eet id saul vestige uns taiper dispariht village om drutoms.
Eet occupet ab quantens Selartz mieghit conte ka leusers, forlikwn sakats, furs, misers,
sieugs, charlatans ed poets. Tod hol smulk mund iegit claus mutu in un universe quer
murdaria hieb tik thamf ka egal. Nespekent to, ir sense os observation permiss ad Pereim
ed Kandjar aunkehlder uno meg strict hierarchia bayna ti parias qui gwiveer in marge
alyen quartiern. Tem stauneihnd quem to mieghit kwehke, ies gairn begwahe ta anghperts.
Ex tid do tid ierk ies i taskars qui clostereer ambh iens im xeubhend-ye oik sildbwrs. Ir
generositat surpris ed, pos oin hor, id hol Daumsenghehrd wois od ies oispassereer in id.
Kam ies hiebeer plant, ies ghohd contanges iom swamen tos dord.

So se presentit ka un capchenkufyet taskar qui, med un stupen oc, susurit ad Pereim ed

Kandjar :
- Sei ste mercenars os Nintelhot, ste mohrt sei yu ne habte likwt mien xeimen unte penkwe
minutes. Sonst, sehkwte me !
Ies ne hieb total trust in tom dubieus person ; lakin, ies se sis guide do uno meirong
perigumten. Pos un mutasalzal barack, arriveer do un staunos-ye deluxe sall : id demped
eet covohrno med twacs, un immense table ex massive dreu samt argwrntic gjiaungsians
eet perambhto med pwoldouzen om tapiciret foteuyls. Neid dwoi : ies wohs in id antro ios
furenroy os Selartz.

- Ed neid ex to hol baygh’ me ! Kakhkiekh ir mejban, okwivid-ye meg swomynder.

Dind is nabahsit, breukend-ye machinal-ye sien cort sword berd ed oistarnd-ye ibs med
siena smulk oku okwi :

- Som Stimbard Levhand, swamen ios Daumsenghehrd. Ho priht kam yu habte sulouc’ con
mien subjects, itak vos ho permiss gwehme hetro, do mien reception sall.

36
Is ritter ed is magician dienk Stimbardo de eys gostprimieve ed accepteer ia kursiys is ibs
propos curtese-ye, pre ibs revele id ziel os ir sohkw.

- Vies meinyun kwehct exceptional ed sei yu kamyapte voster sohkwo, spehm yu

mehnsiete de me ! Way, xeihm neid istikbara util pro vos. Quanto magho vos sayge est od,
in id forest os Andaines, sekwent ia narns om prever drutoms, existien’ vestiges uns aw
folk, dalg westworts. Lakin, nordi, un terrible balstehmen rodiet inexorable-ye id nature.
Zowngschie, yu niete trehve anghen pro duce vos tetro, tantghi khiter est id kleumen os
Andaines. Sems hatta clame od ia ansus iom drutoms chassen ab iens reiters os Selartz
hante id fores’ pos noctgumt…

Linkwnd-ye Stimbard, Pereim ed Kandjar kieu od un bizarre miech, samt skamb lambhel,
tieyit eys levter hand. Ies tierk id ghohd ses meg efficient kay desarme un duschman.
Iesghi sriens, norocti de ne skeulus wighes tom prudent ed dangereus wir. Ies dieum in se
quod buit id part om leugh, legend ed vertat in eys wekwos.

***

Caythness ed Keldrilh ghieng sub un uperkwehlmend sol, spassereihnd ir spect ep ia

graciu curves uns dalwent landspectios quer nizd villars qua cultures periembh. In ia
aghers, wirs, gwens ed ekwi kmehr un piwerghom quer, ploisko ia yapsdrus, ia
yunkbunges ed albukhoumel, crohsc pleista gensa gnohn in id Feenrig : kwoid, mays,
gherzd, rog, colza ed vinyek. Lakin, ghom kwohk her minter fertil quem in Elfham. Trans id
moder mighel os Saphir, sub id abadic luce ios feelik rig, ielgo garuy bohr minst-ye dwin
cochanen, ed traigvs eent dwis hoger. Menxu i ghieng pri un couple nowngminen qui sib
ijieb uno mukhlat, dwo maigher gheis, yugen uni veut carrett, hingoleer joyeus-ye. Oino
iom wirs gwohm fauran prosch i aventurers ed im anac sien outer, hamrahnd sien geste
samt un franko smeih. Uno moment serter, ti smyohr id chifan im nowngmins, aun im
communie ir gastronomic kehnsens. Iamen placunts i se strohng ad sorbe hieb un fade
gust. Id de miems i schohnk samt tanto delicatesse im aventurers, serters mohmeer naiwo
habus id waurmen os edde un tem salden venaison. Lakin, su-eet mal id galecker, i de
hieb brugen id gostprimieve tim brave leuds kay im iskwes mult werds. Quayque ir villar
gwivit in swodrehbia, i villagers gnohr Fenga, quetro eelevernt ir opsens, oins cadayar, ye
id waurmen ios grand yarmerc. Id curiositat im aventurers hieb im permiss manthes od id
urb eet compost ab dwo suadistincta quartiers, separen ab id wahid brigvo quod spans
uper id Koth : id Ponte-Sirth. Norder quem id brigv lyohg id Uber Wastu, uno meirongo
smulken gatvas qua, ud id port os Fenga, ablit kya pauper weiks. Sudi, trans id vast rineg,
ia large avenues iom riche quartiern abstrohc ud id urbcentre. Tri hors pos linkwus i
nowgmins, ed long-ye dankus i pro ir gostprimieve, Caythness ed Keldrilh stahr ep id
Ponte-Sirth.

***

37
Id quartier iom Hog Mazrebs eet aundwoi id imposantst os hol Selartz. Idsa gigantesk
greis velaria, meis quem sixgim peds hog, eent oistohmen ab decen enormen masten
deub-ye sehten do id grund. Atopp id mast ios mierst velarium lik un puyku glend flag
pregen samt un golden hilal. Is passant quom Pereim ed Kandjaro sprohgeer quis eet is
suter tos gnohmen ibs antwohrd samt uno mulayim-ye honnic weidos od quel ne gnohsit
eys nam eet un imbecile au, meis khiter, un tarnien. Vergeihnd suwes un faydh in tod
quartier quer, ye cada viacruce, stahsit ein guardensquade, ies aventurers insisteer kay
obtene un jawab, ouzernd de ir status om gospotis in Selartz.

- Nintelhot, vimlusit is med un irritat ton.

Ant solg attitude, ies aventurers prefereer gwahe visite ia Wauns.

38
 ***

Kweter seuyiet we sneigviet, neid habiet ghohdto stambhes ad Caythness ed Keldrilh

satisface ir dorgvst wogv : eme un kowpic snidan ! Oins kun i sess, ye aus aghyern, ep id
terrasse uns primav creschma, i spohc i tajirs dehme ir langs ep Fengas meithel. Oin hor
serter, sat, i khiss tayari pro un nov explorationsdien. I hieb decis venture do id sud ios urb,
in ia riche quartiers, nieb id palat ios gouverneur. Ia conversations im Fenganis, ex qua i
aventurers hieb ghohdt kwahe oik reliques menxu i mejeer, hieb manthihn i od un grand
festo jinkdouiet hovesper in id gordos ios saray.

Su-arriveer Caythness ed Keldrilh tiel id palat neempedisen, buit de neid kay convinces
iens guardes ke sinient i entre. Ies quar yeudmi walst ant id wahid access uns immense
rotunde refuseer ghyane id gwaru bronzen dwor ed observeer i samt mistrust, ir hands ep
ia lambhels iren einsen.

Decepen, rikeer kyid miero rineg, quer regnit taiper un hava os fest. Un dens ed poik
menegh clostrit ambh ia langs im venegs, ed mult saltimbanks anac interessenwirtic
tamsils. Caythness ed Keldrilh se bliend im vageks, ed passeer id major part ios dien
visitend-ye ia schops im venegs. Id sol disprohp apter ia tects kun i deciseer stajer un
kamer in oino iom aunnumer herbehrgs prokwem id yarmerc.

***

In id Waunweik, occupet exclusive-ye ab askaris, Pereim, hamraht ab Kandjar, retrohv lyt

id stumia ios weir is hieb duct, diuper, contra i barbars qui menaceer invade id Imperium.
Eet id sam general ambikwehlen, ia sama meticuleus kaurs im reidern pro ir ekwens, id
samo menos om aurdhen ed discipline blans yando ad humor. Ies straji hieb sist iens entre
aun probleme, se contentend med mehmihes iens mae cause troubles in id gordos. Id
waun eet skipt ab deltenroigs formend ia speics uns rot ; id ekwengohrd eet in id centre.
In id druna irs ghang, ies kieur od un part iom delts eent interyucta kay skipes un vast
baytel, aundwoi tod uns important person. Ia mier pals, deub-ye sehn do id grund, suadik
od ta delts eent permanent, nekam id adet iom reiders. Pribuden, ies gwohm proscher id
wahid entrat covohrt med un long sword kehlder.

Stayg, un guarde sielg id delt ed wohkwit iens rauk-ye :

- Hey, tarniens, zaaluete her : est banen mane prokwem id residence iom protectorn.
Abgwahte !

So wir, vehsend un gehlb sarvari ed un sword lietern jaquet ka protection, dohrj in sien
hand un long eins. Is repetih sien wehlen brusk-ye. Stayg, un atroce heul udswohn ia
perpetual galoppbloska. Tod crie schahidit un acut paytten, aundwoi, ed orgwohm ex id
delt uperwakht tem angh-ye ab iom soldat. Okwivid-ye rhayr-kheissas dia tod wakya, is
korel insistit gwaur-ye kem abgwahient.

Pos hol, Pereim ed Kandjar sib sieyg ies ne eent massoul de ia agsa commiss in id mund
Dorgan, od ir sohkw eet importanter ed od ibs kwohk pau raisonable aunstehcskwe quo
eet tem sua-uperwakht. Eti, so askari ne sollit ses saul. Likweer ghi tod stet aun etikunges.
Final-ye, ta wauns ne eent tem prientlika quem quo is ritter hieb mohnt, eyso zirah eet

39
murdariht ab id duil, ed un pior hirsic reider hieb quasi upervalken iom med sien ekwem !
Schowi likweer tod weik aun regrets.

***

Sehkwnd-ye id nordouper ios Koth, Caythness ed Keldrilh gwahr engwn un roig emporn
quod, euster kam wester quem id Ponte-Sirth, strohc tiel vidleus. Pro iens wirs ed ians
gwens qui ambikwohl ant ielg iom trebs, id orbatsdien bad ens. Nu-lahsit un brynd, honar
ed hirsic waurg id quie, ia herbehrgs prokwem id port ed id labyrinth iom gatvas os Fengas
pauper quartier. Nespekent id sert saat, gwaur woghs dar sielg ia empors, ex tid do tid, ep
id chossee kyid brigv au ia boots palamart ei quie. Pos pau wakt, menxu id menegh
diswieurg bad, i dyohrc un curieus person, un gwenak samt terrible-ye emaciat lige,
kneigvend olan-ye ep un ponton ant un weur bark, qua kwecto i observit insistence-ye.
Spehcend-ye tam negnoht, i aunstohg ays ample cappa ex rudho zamt perbohrg un
corpos uns gargic maighert, ed joyels uns inexspectet beauteit in talgo quartier. Dind,
chohxyend id lige, cruceer un stragno specto. Un specto quod sammel express intizar,
paur, speh ed khalwa. « Sa gwen want imdadh ! » mohn Caythness vighabend-ye od
nauts, venegs ed vageks vergihr iam plauttos.

Ia elementalistin eet ye ne meis quem dwo stieups ud iam negnoht, attentive dia ielg
aysen gesten. Senter bad wohkwit Caythness :

- Dank, ieyit ay, kam rohmen ud un gwaur behrmen. Som her pon hors, ed nel gwiv hat
gwohmen proscher quem trigim stieups me. Esdi yu ne mi tolcskwte, vies presence mi est
uns megil tassalli.

Pribuden ab ia lafza tas gwen, Caythness khiek sib stambhes iam sprehge :

- Keraun ed stohnter ! Bi qualg sababs tehrbiem ses mut in vies presence ?

- Aundwoi ste nov in tod urb ! Kam id swohd volt, skeulo vos sayge id druve. Som Meluve,
ia palekin im mortus, ed in tod urb, nel gwiv me hat aiwo wohkwn. Som Meluve ia
kyehrsen, Meluve ia khalwannia, Meluve invisible ibs okwims im gwivs tos urb. Io consecre
mien gwit ad wakhe uper i atmens im dauts, ye id wostia ios Turiban-Koth, ep id insule im
Mortus.

- In id land quetos gwehmo, antwohrd ia elementalistin ad Meluve, kaure dei mortus est un
activitat kam alyo. Nies gohds’ gardners kaurn’ de ia flors iom kurgans, ed nel kwehndt un
situation tem stragno quem vieso !

Passend uter hand apter sien coll, Meluve disking oin om siena mult belchugs, dind anac
id ay, uno smeih ep sien lipps.

- Ghendte id, ieyit ia, sien gurgule gneubhend ob emotion. Vies wekwos mi est uns megil
tassalli, bet skeulo nun rikes mien insule. Id phar ios Turiban-Koth dehlc’ naiwo sgwenes.
Dehlgo wakhe uper id, kam wakho uper ia atmens im mortus.

Id smulk nauk ias palekin ios Insule im Mortus toflottit westworts menxu Caythnessa chohx
id schungjin collband quod sa hieb ay just-ye schohnken. Medsu un zangir ex pur gold,

40
glupt rubins kip id forme om dwo okwi. Ia king sien coll med tod joyel, ed ia khiss fauran un
amat sensation. Ia xih taiper Meluves Okwi.

***

Inter Selartz ed Seleite strohc id wildsto deilo ios mier forest os Andaines. Pauk leuds durs
venture, multghi legends wiern el mussafer de id malefic kweitu tos inexploret region. Bet
ne vahr superstitieus creds ghangihes Pereim ed Kandjar retro, bilax ! Id attraction ios
negnohn petis excitit ir curiositat ed imagination. Lakin, pos oin pwoldien, ia xentis ed
raudhenplohcta hieb semkam srigeriht ir enthusiasme. Eti, ies khiss bfuyow in id region
quer id saul apparent gwit eet representen ab un dwaschaw insecten qui swohrbh yant ies

41
ieyr oino iom saup stamms qua ibs frequent-ye blockeer id perigumt. Yando ies dyohrc,
trans id puik brem iom drus, gigant crauvs samt long sworda ptergs quim trist groks ibs
kwecto mehmihr od ir place eet alyer quem in tod lusen part ios forest os Andaines.

Pereim ed Kandjar sbei courage ed dreghia buir iter mizden : tadrijan, id forest kwiter ed
se transformit. Long brun lianes prohp, taynd id maurglend iom peurks. Bo ghohd aun
difficultat prokwem un crater quos leukquardel circumference meg impress iens. Dwoyeer
an ids origin buit natural, bilhassa ob ia timid solbams kwohk bihe absorben ab id temos
quod regnit in id budmen ios cavitat. Is ritter salgihsit Assilane ids kardkasch ed rexit id
kyid deusk tehom kay id ei dahiet sieno mayn. Is oismih : id eet dilen inter un aunsatos
curiositat ed id prekhisses od semject besweurghend tup eni tod temos. No ! Esiet sayang
abgires pos un tem ordeilwent safer ! Gwaukan, ies bistigheer ghom…

Neid turbanter quem wehse in plen temos ! Plurs, Pereim ed Kandjar sluber unte meis
quem sixgimtia peden pos kwehlpus ep invisible rocks. Nilenteer ir descens ibo rumpient ir
osta ar, nekam ira previsions, id flank ios crater eet stets bergwnter. Pos oin horquardel,
ies oiskul trehve solid ghends kay continue progredde medsu temos. Ies vols unte un khvil
kay vehrte ia crehscend difficultats de tyices id retrosteighen, bet ir aventurermenos buit
nerter ! Aun nischan, khiekeer kehnse correct-ye id duren quod separit ira presta stieups
ud id moment kun hiebeer bad-ye trohden id budmen ios crater. Lakin, ir gvolwenta
muscles kwohnd plur hors effort, antgreipend tod balstohmto sten ! Id temperature sohnk
brutal-ye menxu ies khiss observet ab semject, teupend in temos. Nerveus, is ritter nieudh
dwo peitens pre vidaghe sien gwak.

Med id pall ed flickernd diutis tos torche, Pereim ed Kandjar dyir id atraf : id perfect-ye glat
grund eet uns abnuscolor. Nel creature eet visible ; ies hieb nespekent hol id pondos os
bihe luurt… Ghiengeer kyid centre ios crater ed id echo viesen stieups multiplicit-se ep id
vitrifiet surface. Assilane in hand, is ritter dieum de id origin solgs ambient. Eys brens buir
interrupt ab id apparition uns garb om glenda flammes quod surrexit ex nischto, twehrelnd
ye trigimtia peden ud iom ed eys sokwi. Ids ballett invitit bo aventurers ad naghange kyid
sam direction. Pos decen minuten, ia flammes disprohp tem oku quem ia hieb prohpt !
Lakin, un glendo diutis ibs dik ia ne eent meg dalg. Proscher, ies aunstohg ia periembh un
gigantesk deusk oiv, meis quem penkdem peds hog, quod kwecto sorpsit literal-ye id luce
ambh id ! Tod stragno spectacle kierdwn ir malaise pondos ed ies oisprud kun un grave ed
balmdeub voc udcliengh !

- Som el Tenioiv ; presente-te, ke ghehdo sonde tien atmen !

Nespekent sien vol os abgires fauran, Pereim stahsit still, srom, face el monstrueus
creature quel explorit eys ment.

Pos un cort moment unte-yod el creature hieb kohnsen iom, id sam balmdeub voco quod
ieusk un honnkhisses, cliengh iter in id crater :

- Es tik un stupid ed duscrehscus ritter. Tien presence est un hakara dia mien augos.
Lakin, in mien megil karam, tib adbehro id waurmen os udlites id stadium os demel quod
est tieno.

Menxu is tentit se lures ex id fangh al Tenoiv, is ed eys sokwi pohdeer do un profund

swehpen.

42
 ***

Per vasya winds ! Su-eet nel-ye stragn id presence aven, kwohk de ad Caythness ed
Keldrilh curieus od id hol ptercto genos hieb mulakat ye minter quem tricenten peden ud ir
waun ! Pos un incomfortable noct, observeer samt sweurgh id nebos albhen bloupod avs
quod swohrbh ed okupoht uper id mar samt un concert om bodereihnda cries. Stinct ab
curiositat, i likw id leizd os Andaines ed, id schark za i, i trohc fauran kya hog behrgs ios
Gulf os Sirth. Tehrnd-ye Structornvia quod separit id forest ud id caust, eent darm-ye
gwaukan de elucide id mysteir tos surprindantios meunster.

Oin instant serter, i niek id strand. Pod id behrg, cent penkgim peds niter, i dyohrc id vrack
unios nav, xubhen ep id part ios ripa quod id schiau hieb, unter ir swehpen, aunstohct. Id
numer im akbabs qui dapien ep ia cadavers im naufrageits udhorrorit quantum aiw
eededyir. Centens om vreg snaps, maghses plur tusents, forakwt-se frenitic-ye ep ia nayvs
iom orm nauts. Caythness ed Keldrilh kung de kam age, dilt inter ir desire os chehxe tod
vrack prokwer ed id profundo disgust id vido tos horrible halak im inspirit. I lakin decis
explore id khayghian, spehndi trehve un wegho quod im permittiet nake id strand.

Circum middien, i dostigh un stet ios caust quer id vitisme udhogit id ripa unte tik sixgimtia
peden. I stohmbh ghom neempedisen ep id strand, dind kyid nav, stopend ex tid do tid kay
chehxe bayna ia mult butts ed kwehlks xubht ep id ouper. Way, etilikwit neid ex id cargo
quod habiet ghohden ses util im aventurers. Quer i avs ne hiebeer passet, saldem hieb
committen irreparable damna, discolorend ia wehbhs ed oxidend ia metalls. Pos oin hor
ghang, i dyohrc bad id vrack. Yeji id stand ios nav, ne molicit tarke ia sababs ios naufrage.
In id druna uns terrible storm, aundwoi tod quod hieb rarzen in id gulf os Sirth dwo diens
prever, ia tri masta ios vecel hieb brohgen, dwinghend ibs nauts betruses ir meinyun ibs
marzihs om wind ed mar. Poskwo, kam schahidet ab sien exgventert scrock, id nav hieb
hurten oino iom mult holms qua lizd id khayghian tiel oin wassime mayl dalg ud id caust.
An buir survivers tei terrible accident kwohk meg improbable. Cer ed ter, un bryndo masse
aven dik id presence uns cadaver.

Id horrible scene quod jinkdousit ant ia okwi as Caythness aghnuit ays kerd, ed ia decis
intervene pre i avs akapient ir buxianxu besoyn. Kam vasyi weikers ios Feenrig, ia miegh
khisses tongjon. Ayso specto kwohk stragn-ye piern kun ia kyuk ia elementar forces os
ardh ed wohl ia eme id apparence uns hideus monster. Paur lambh i avs yant i dyohrc id
creature gnahn ex ays imagination : un dwogimpenk peds buland hydra quel wohng sien
dec nakwrlik caps wisu. Pos stupor, i akbabs comieg fauran. Pussiren ab oin sam instinct, i
bipluk in un concert om cries ed disprohp trans ia behrgs, kye Andaines.

Keldrilh ed Caythness trohv kafi dreu prokwem id vracko kay dehme un daunospiurna
quod daughiet ad sepules i mortus ios naufrage. Long wehbhpieces vrehn in kwehlks
prokwem id nav, im permiss vulbhes ia dauner etiloikwa i hisseer ep id piurna. Id
supernaturalo flamme uns ogwnansu se propagit ye un syrato dar dwaleihnder quem uno
nert westwind lud fujatan ep id gulf os Sirth. Su-hieb ies tohrpto dwo wassime hors kay
dispones ia cadavers, collapsit de id piurna sub id gvalt ios glest unte oin instant, hatta pre
ia elementalistin hieb zasohngven id Elfham ritual vochet.

43
Kam stayg hieb id wind biblaht eet bedebah pro id sehkwo iom wakyas. Pos oin au dwo
hors, ia furieus flutts schiauient ep ia behrgs ios gulf os Sirth. Trauric, Keldrilh ed
Caythness decis linkwes id vrack idsi fat ed abgires, yant eet dar waurmen, tiel id stet
quetos i hieb ghohden accedde id ripa.

Payn-ye hieb i riken Structornvia quem un storm wehsit firtina-ye ep id gulf os Sirth,
carriend gwaur aglus ed puscend schiauvolns qua brohg ep id strand, minter quem trigim
peds pod ia behrgs. In prevision ios storm quod stets meis menacit, Keldrilh ed Caythness
entreer id forest os Andaines, kay panges un solid waun. I se pariet ad upernocte dar
incomfortabler-ye quem perncti.

***

Lyt ed lyt, Pereim ed Kandjar disbayaldisseer sub id effect os un suffocant gvrens. Ies
lyohg ep un lewank os volcanic origin. Stahnd-ye ub, ies aunstohg un apocalyptic
landspect… Buir deub-ye impressen ab id stieure iom effrenat malefic forcen tos dwocolor
universe : greis, kam id mussalsal seuy om bur ed scorias ; rudh, kam ta coulees os
aydhend lava, constant obstacles ad cada progression au ta kowps om ghianshieks in
fusion, ogwnstatues dedien ad divs negnoht im menscims. In id silence punctuet ab ia
spasmodic tremblens uns pamrlant ardh, enorm petrablocks exploseer sub id etiwaurg uns
pior intense gvrens.

Id vagh bichoun uns lytil paund attraxit ir attention in tod mund ex chaos ed flammes. Ies
dieum quosmed id hieb ghohden resiste ia aggressions os nature. Magia, solg eet id saul
possible antwehrd… Pribudt, Pereim ed Kandjar bighieng ep tod via. In tod universe ex
piurn ed bur, boderihn ab id kwalay om prokwem eruptions, distulen ab frequent gischiens,
iro progression eet lent. Id hava eet quasi irrespirable. Pos uno nebestohmen wakt, ir
stomaks isnahr iens ad se restaure. Bet id jlampohn eet chald ed pastiurma hieb un
burgust… Impossible eet se repere ! Ir visionscamp udlit payn oik decens om stieups. Bet
in quod tar part ios mundios Dorgan ghohd ies wehse ? Id presence volcanen eet
udwekwnen neidloc ep ir map…. Ploisko, weidwos, sei neti eent in id samo mund ! Ed ia
wakyas ies hieb gwiven prever eent kafi stragna pro plausiblihes tod foll hypothese.

Pos plur diens uns harassant ghang, Pereim ed Kandjar inkiep despere : duxit tod paund
semtro ? Kwe eet, iter, un khiter janter kay forwander mussafers in tod dusprimav mund ?

44
Ir meriendes gwohm cort, ir outer eet moll, strieke bilambh iens. Bet ir inatia buit bad
mizden : un collapto gigantesk mur ex swordo brick terminit ir safer. Pos dwo wassime
hors os ascension, ies dostigh bad idso topp. Trans ia permanent burnebhs, ies tierk, niter,
ia flau formes uns important edifice. Gwahr tetro fauran, spehnd vitrehve un intelligent
creature con-yel tolke. Surprise-ye, constateer id airo rebihsit respirable, un sorte os magic
schild kwecto protexit tod loc ud id furor iom volcans.

Proscher, Pereim ed Kandjaro kreins discerneer ia detayls tos edifice : un destull stragnios
dun. Id melglik ed mulayim-ye gwayder kweitos iom walls, id absence om khandaks ed
zanns, hol her eet kwekmor uns bfurjienzao architecture. Id buhsa ios duivar iens liess
perplexe : uno materia minter kaurd quem kwecto, quasi urand, un surface destull-ye mliak
ad touche, comspergen samt lytil mysterieus torms… Gwahr engwn id dun scrutend-ye ids
lytsta detayls. Id uniformitat ios imara iens pribud tant quem id exasperit iens. Lakin,
repereer samt satisfaction uno smulk perigumt perbohrct in un recess, gnebh kafi wero pro
sines iens passe.

Iro progression buit lent. Id dikhliz inflexit-se ex tid do tid yoitkwe ir sense os orientation eet
sfalliht. Id melglik luce quod emanit ex id sten eemeinmeinct ed id hava eeblousyet.
Pereim ghohd daghe aun gwak, ne aun difficultat. Id familiar luce rassurit iom ritter ed iom
magician. Brusk-ye, un reuso samt un odor os euset pork surpris iens. Spohceer ub ed vis
garg-ye id tavan compage gvalt-ye sub id chielde ios torche ! Unte oino mic, ia murs
emisseer swons tem variat quem alarmant : ghneihsas, creischa, gnirska ed uno
mussalsal drehnen. Ies ghieb tun id inconceptible situation : eent eni un gwiv !

Ghendend Assilane med bo hands, Pereim plieg med sien hol nerce ia gwiv stens qua
compieg proscher kay grehnde iom ed Kandjar. Eys miecho dub do id krewos. Un violett
cruoro spruz iens menxu se sohndeer eni todpet extermeid corpos. Neid oistopit eysa
staur cutts bet air eegwehmgwehmt cort ed exhaustion viarrivit… Noroc-ye, pos un abad,
eys eins bad hih kenos : is hieb kamyaben ! Bo aventurers dyir id meithel ies hieb just
naken.

45
In id centre ios desert place, kam surregen ex id grund, stieur un enorm kwit cube, samt
rudh ed blou streis ed gelatineus aspect. Attentive dia id lytsto detayl, ies kieur
stieuptraces duxeer direct-ye seid aun aiwo linkwes id… Aunblosk, alnos still… Lakin, un
leuk dalger, ies dyohrc mier subrudh blixa, signes uns volcanic activitat…

Nespekent Pereims peitens kay sutes id, eys eins eemimehldt panique. Un gwayder halo
stohg stayg id duivar quod, sub ids contact, zaghyien id perigumt unte-yod is ed Kandjar
hieb just arriven, aun linkwes traces… Ies wois od, tuntro, cada speh os udgwahsa hieb
vanien ! Zowngschie, quetro habient ies ghohden in tod hostile universe ? Kay mudhes ub,
Pereim mohm id Gheslenokwen Citad ed id exempel tom aunpauren rittern : gwaukan-ye,
ies oistiup proscher id exteradet cube.

Samt sem apprehension, so rexit uter hand kay touche id ed constatit, surpriden, od tod
incontrit neid resistence ! Bet, kun is oistrif oino iom rudhen strein, un tepid ed sleibic liquid
quod mehnih de sehrg spohr, menxu id hol ignoble ject bikrus ! Un futur swamenritter ne
poissit gnohe paur ! Is ed Kandjar decis penetre endo id bantowmeingo cube. Un akri odor
lahsit ir gurgules, keapay gribels iendh iens, ir vision trubiesc. Ies ghohd lakin discerne
medsu un colorwento nebule id ambhriss uns repulgend palpitant rudh ject kwohk-yei
vasya streis yugen… Un druv explosion tyohc in ir caps. Sub id schock, ies fiell ep ir
genus. Un alien ansu tentit lambhnes ir corpsa. Med un ultim effort os vol chasseer tod
neseizet intrus ed oistahr tsay face id nemensco jecto quod hieb tentet fanghe iens.

« Ok po ok, dent po dent ! » Tel infam creature volit un combat, siet habe id ! Pereim rusch
kyid repugnant rudh ject swehngend-ye sien soitost eins. Ka response eysi reaction, un
nov schock tariegh eys ment ; lakin, eys rage eet meg nerter quem id haines ios kerd ed is
resistit id hajoum ! Is ed Kandjar wois od un aunmercie katu stiert bet ies ne biey ob, sei
sollient nehce, ir mohrt esiet heroyic.

46
Assilane susurit ei ritter :

- Mien frater is Scut est prokwem, id kheisso !

Ed id nub med un golden aura negnoht ab iom. Sammel, id cube se materialisit lent-ye do
un corrosive substance i aventurers khiek vergihes…

Id Kerd vurn iens adventurers, bet buit, ab dwoter cutt os Pereim, hihn do nehc ed sisit
skape un flutt os violett cruor. Id cube vanicit ed bo mensci eent sahikh wa salim ! Pod iom
ritter, lyohg id Presto Scut, ziel os eys sohkwo ! Assilane express uno megil joy os retrehve
sien frater Scut. Eys enthusiasme eet aungrance : ye id prest ker pon mil yars, un ritter xih
bo symbols ios Imperium ! Kun is koimreikiet, ne id titule swamenritter is algviet, sontern
tod os Pereim 1st, souverain ios Nov Imperium ! Bet un gvaltic gischien sohkwt ab un
superacuto strid traxit iom ex eys klewost brens. Ambh iom ed Kandjar, id universe ios
kerd kwecto se disloquit alnos : un enormo rudh sol hiebit prohpt in id waurn ed pfwohng
ye un dekhschatic syrat !

- Mae bayte, vahm nos nehsihes tetos !

Tod warm ed grave voc ieur Pereimo ye id prest ker in sieno ment ed eet nel-ye tod os
Assilane, cristallin ed swadh !

Id Presto Scut, ludhert ex id fangh ios kerd, communicit con iom med mental kwiters.
Quantenprest, eet id pondosto spectacle ios Imperium ye eys apogee, ia centens toren ed
spicen ios nagor stieur kyid waurn, id Gheslenokwen Citad kam is hieb naiwo vis :
uperpehldend med un colorwento menegh quer id charm ed id elegance iam gentile
potnias allier-se ei-pet beauteit. Id dwot kwiter esti dar-ye grandiose : centens om ritters ed
tekens sohkw id imperial bander in un perfect aurdhen. Emotion-ye recognih Pereimo
medsu tod mahibe heir id azur-ed-gold vapwn siens familia… Id trit kwiter contrastit
ubfallend-ye : eet chaos. Cruorpoik ritters katuer mynder-ye nieb gnomes, dwerghs,
magicians ed fees contra wirs vehsend long robes samt ein swordo disk. Uno malefic aura
emaneer ex iens. Gvaltic energiafawngdiens tohr id walu pre crasche do immense
flammengarbs, xeubhend dischtukeln ed aydhen memsa ep alyens wighs… Follia hieb
lambhen ia elements, air, ogwn, aqua ed ardh yando serviceer ians nraveihnd pterct fees
allien ibs magicians, bet opser-ye controlen ab ia teniforces. Uperkeihndo tod halak, un
immense sword sphere kwecto smieuk id spectacle. Id quart kwiter impress iom dar meis :
med sien ramak, is imperator kyuk id hol augos ios Prestios Scut kay repulge id malefic
ses. Tod, kay resiste id attaque, skul tankes sien hol force kay rehve id Scut ex ia hands
ios imperator ed xubhes id do id universe os sieno mayster, id Kerd os Haines. Senst
kwiter : volcans ; id kerdo brug id zancheyo sliebe ios Scut kayb lambhnes id ed nudes
poskwo ids maghs pro sien wi conto. Tuntos, id Kerd os Haines eekapanneut i mussafers
qui venture in id region. Poskwo, un stump vibrationo gnahsit, ed menxu un implacable
voln os destruction stus id universe iom volcans qua eeleusleuse ir consistence ed kwecto
se transformeer do un aunharm sogno, is khissit-se bayaldisse.

Kun Pereim emers ex sien swehpen, is constatit, hayran, is eet iter face id deusko crater
quod herbohrg id Tenioiv. Bet, lyt ed lyt, temos buit tayn ab diewum ed is ghohd dyehrce,
in id budmen ios tehom, id malefic oin quod se parieydh lent-ye ye meis ia solbams hihr id.
Is exultit vidend-ye talg spectacle : id balstehmen os Andaines eet khatem !

47
Pereim ed Kandjar sbei sohkwo ne eet akapt. Assilane ed id Scut ibs assigneer un nov
mission : lit de retrehve Dorgans protector, fabuleuso ses qui ghehdiet, mon, restruge un
imperium, petra pos petra. Nespekent quanta werds ies iskw ad ir magic sokwis, ta
refuseer inat-ye antwehrde, kweter ia ne wois meis de, we un augos wohl ia tayce kay ies
bevidient ir boltia. Lakin, pre sume ir sohkwo, toy dohlgeer ganises ex ir vurnsa.

***

Cliht caps kay jidale protiev id glehdjwind quod bich ir liges, Caythness ed Keldrilh
ghiengeer medsu un angh dervente, attentive dia ia kalctraps uns abandonen strad.
Kreigernstrad ! Su-hieb, kam ids nam dik, tod stet gnoht oika klewoswehrgs, wakto de hieb
schiawkient hatta id lytsto trace os ids prev megdos. Pod ia behrgs, rocks ed klep strahr
un permadht swol ep-yod proliferit un wild vegetation busken ed wayzden qua covohr
deub weghias. I saul gwivs, stragn ed aunharmi brunterkat smels, hieb chust hem in ia
anfractuositats ios ghianshiek, quois i sielg bad pos noctgumt. Pos dwo diens uns
harassant ghang sub id seuy, seddend ep un perwnt, i ess iro presto chifan ios dien, ed
admireer id akro iom behrgs. Ia senst aktwns, kun surrexeer inter dwo aglus, kwecto
enflammeer id ghianshiek. Way, pos payn oin hor, xep guraghiet ia sensta solinikas, qua
brigh oin touche om poesis ed majestato tei menscenmyohrsen loc.

Regretend id wierme ed id comfort iren ptorcrovats, Caythness ed Keldrilh ne skohpt od

temos buit complete pre paurske uno namwirtic refuge. I wois od ia anfractuositats ios
ghianshiek, pod ia behrgs, eent pior angh pro penetre tetro. Also udglohm i id behrgo kam
i hieb ja kwohrn perdini vesper kay trehve un schalasch. Ye penkdem peds hog, iro
dreghia buit bad prabh-ye mizdt : un cavitat quod, trans un ghyahsa kafi weru pro sines i
endo, kohl un rewos kafi plaut pro primes decen menscen. Un oku chehxen tos schalasch
rassurit i definitive-ye. Pior hog mae bihe naken ab animals qui gwiveer in tod dervente, id
skip, eti, un excellent didbani.

Payn-ye hieb i puwen kafi rewos in id grotte pro lyiges ir blanquets ep id grund kun un
kwalay udcliengh in id dervente. Se precipiteer ei entrat ios schalasch : un trupp gress
eusttos, nel-ye kaurndo de discretion. Fauran, menxu ies wirs eent sixgimtia peden dalg,
oin ex iens emiss cries qua bieur aurtavans. Oin instant serter, dec torches buir daght,
repulgend id regwosxep quod regnit in id angho canyon. Caythness ed Keldrilh conteer
penkgimtia wiren, lumpvehsend, armet med einsa, lances ed… chehxend-ye id schowbey
ios trupp, i hieb just-ye dyohrct menscencaps hangend kata ia belts iom dec yeudmen in
caudo ios drungin !

48
Vidus ia horrible trophis toy barbars bohr, un foll grassab lambh iam elementalistin. Ja, ia
iser werds uns awios bahsa quos origin ispet Misris ne kohgn iti se repercuss inter ia hog
behrgs ios dervente. Aun eme id wakt os mehne, ia hieb, ye id prest ker siens gwit, decis
diles con forces uns terrifiant augos, entitats qui ia wois cruel ed lasni. Entrim, prokalt ab
ays invocation, ies barbars oispohc ub. Gleimens ed rughats, exbohrt ab un patwass
deriven ex Dorgans lingua, hamrahr id aunstehgen ios kulk im aventurern. Kun decen
yeudmen karrier udglehme id brenk sten, Caythness inkiep ser bedwoie id efficience om
sien maghs scheischaung.

Ia ed Keldrilh se prepareer ad lever un combat i wois inegal, kun el entitatis decis bad se
manifeste. Un westtos nev peds hog voln progress do id angh gorge ye un vertigineuso
syrat. Un immaterial ghesor kwecto nih ia baubend flutts, qua stopeer unte uno mic pre
hihes id smulk barbarenheir. Petrifien ab tod stayg apparition quod mers bo aventurers do
total temos, ti vighieb od un intense srigos regnit taiper in id grotte, un supernatural srigos.

49
Med un annem murmurit Caythness :

- Kwe me dancs it ?

Pos un beangstend silence, un voco quod kwecto gwohm ex Enderbund ay antwohrd in id

bahsa ios mundios Dorgan :

- Penkgim atmens ! Un tem bell ighdu stahalt un radh. Mae estu niebsto ker ar, kay
satisface me, dehlcsies tunkye mi maule tien gwit !

Pos ta werds, un irresistible force mers i aventurers do un beghspace swehpen quod

likweer bad ye solweus, pwolbolvan. Id presto specto quod ijiebeer ad Kreigernstrad
confirmit eys prekhisses… I ne hieb drohmen ! Penkdem peds niter etilikwit neid trace iom
rocks, klep ed busken qua, perdini, empediseer id grund ios dervente. I hieb nohsen
gnebh !

Caythness ed Keldrilh pag ir waun ye id leizdo ios forest os Andaines, atopp uno smulko
clin quetos ghehdient observe id lac brungend-ye id starwento noct. Pos un long
paurskensdien, ne hiebeer bad-ye trohven satisfacend explication ei buxianxu desolation
quod regnit in tod loc. Albatta, i hieb aunstohgen un vegetal parasite quod, harmend ia
drus iom foresten Andaines ed Ordreth tiel tricenten peden ud id ouper, tariegh id ecologic
tula bo wester kam euster quem id lac. Bet tod parasite, smulka kwit baungs i hieb
kathalika remarken ep ia scimmeln drustamms qua emers ex id werd ye oika stieups ud id
krant, ne explicit id quasi total absence gwitsformen. Aranks oisleidend ep id wedsurface,
piski sokend po insects, areds paurskend sem amphibias au reptils… Vasya gensa tup
trans id impenetrable mighelring iom sudmuraischen.

Bila nebhs, id waurnakmen se reflegit ep id lacsurface samt perfect nettor, porgend un

spectacle uns talg beauteit quem id ghohd chasse ia sombre brens tod region inspirit ad
Caythness. Ia stars ! Ia eeadmireneut ia cadanoct pon sien arriven do tod negnoht mund,
kun weter eemehght to, pangend un waurnmap pos ielg sienen observations. Iaghi hieb
ghapt meg oku id hol interesse ia ghehdiet gaines ex id presence tom stragnen diutis in
Dorgans waurn. Jamiyend-ye ia yoitkwe obtene familiar figures, ia hieb hassilet un
precieus guide quod ay permiss vehrte precision-ye sien position ed se oriente in id druna
aysen safern. Sei aiwo rekehgniet id noroc os retrehve id Feenrig, Saphirs mliak luce
naiwo tayiet id charm ed id nude iom constellations qua comspers Dorgans waurn : id
westring, ia dec nordstars evoquend id forme uns daga, id ak hat ios sud, myrya stars qua,
in id eust tos mund, suggesteer id forme uns fontan Elfhams… Ed tant alya figures, bayna-
ya tod uns pterct serpent quod, seid uper id lac, se reflegit alnos ep id. Kam stragn ! In id
nordwest ios lac, quer ia spruts qua sru ghom ex Schildgabehrgo skip un delta…. Ia ne
credih sien okwi ! Nibo ses victim uns illusion, id numer iom starn present waurni ne
correspons id numer iom diutis ia dyohrc ep id wedsurface !

Posdini yant solweus, Caythness ed Keldrilh ghiengeer kyid delta, vergeihndi tiel id sensto
moment id krant covohrno med un brun slamm i woiseer sleubric. Oins epstet, i tohrb tik
oik minutes kay aunkehlder id presence, ye minter quem tri peds deub, uns long
khaysawios ye-yos borsa blig fluorescent kuglas samlik ad perles arehgient-ya micri
diamants.

50
Kun se clihr kay chehxe ta curieus plantes, un irresistible force im dwighit clude ir okwi. Ia
fluorescent spheres lur hypnotic vibrations ed i khiekeer skape ia. Tunkye un kwiter,
sammel fascinant ed repugnant, wierdh in ir ments. Id kip un horrible pembcorpos monster
quel, dayim mutawardhend, kwohkit kwohrt ex un dwaschaw em brynd creatures. Kun id
psychic augos al creature ios lac lur i ex sien fangh, bo aventurers hieb id pondos os
levervs un terrible combat. Id telepathic ordeil i hieb just gwiven hieb muhim-ye slaberiht i.

Pos dwo long diens om aunbrungos paurskens in tod lays quer miedhe ed id mank os luce
gwaurodihr id hava, nu-rik Caythnessa sien annem, reidend un ozd ye plur peds ud id
ghebel os un giganto dru ios forest Ordreth ed brungend id suadin kay due siuk vesters.
Kam ia hiebit speht pre enderghende sien steighen engwn id trunk buwt sleubric ab id
seuy, ia hieb chust un dru stahnd ep un hoge quetos ia uperkih tod hol part ios widu. Quod
un fantastic landspect ! Sub un tintblou waurn, un glend bremenocean strohc, nordtro ed
eusttro, tiel ia prest oras os Dorgans longsto gabehrg. Ia ed Keldrilh eent in id kerd ios
forest Ordreth, ye egal distance ud id lacregion ed id Schildgabehrg.

Caythness bliegh id intuition quod hieb ducen iam ad glehme tiel tod didbani, quetos ia
dyohrc, kyid nordwest, un long stolb ex albh dum quod lud kyid swergos. Dum ! Eno ghi
sensto ject ia exspectit ar, kam ia hieb kaut unte ta dwo akhir diens, id dreu tos forest, sei
eet daghskwt un koister tosmed, lur irrespirable emanations. Ia elemenar ansus ia hieb
kyuken refuseer dughes id lytst flamme. Mensc au biest, el creature quel gwivit in id kerd
os Ordreth sollit mukhtmel-ye conserve sien aydsmum in un siuko sklad… nib eet dilen
con un supernatural augos quod ghohd contrôle i ansus tos forest ! Satisfacen ab sien
aunstehgen, ia decis ne etikunges pre edde sien presto chifan ios dien. Mae kaure de
comfort ! Ia hungher kam un albu ! Way, payn-ye hieb ia ghyanen sien sacko quem uno
nert ed seuyic wind biblahsit, menacend ye cada instanto distule iam. Unte minter wakto
quem eet tohrpt kay sayge id, ia snig siena madh povestis do sien rucksack ed dieh sien
kays do tuy. Ia eet tayara pro stighes ghom.

Keldrilh ed Caythness gwahr kyid nordwest. Mult spruts obstahr iro progression, bet, ye
tod ker, id kerdos ias elementalistin dugh daumsa. Inter dwo bukats oinios aysen precieus
placunts, oik werds eent kafi kay convinces i ansus ke protiedier id bog, unte id wakto ke
ia ed is gnome wiedh. Stayg, kun i gwohm prosch un perwnt quod un spruto gir, un enorm
aper rusch ex un khaluz, ye trigim peds ud i. Buir surpriden ab id intrusion tal animal, quel
pnohs kyi ed sammel ier id swol med sien eibers.

In hol hast, bo aventurers pieursk un zariya kay vergihes id katu tel idiot animal kwecto im
imposskwit. Kyukes id imdadh im ansus os Ordreth ? Fuges ? Id charge al aper buit tem
staygo quem id liess i kam petrifiet.

Facend danger, Caythnessa skohpt id sensto moment kay tente un impossible mov :
vergihes ia eibers al animal ed sammel passe sien brakhs ambh els coll.

- Puyku ! Spectacular ! Exclamit un flutelik voc. Bet stop ghi, tu piwon soupwent ! Me
strangules !

Ia elementalistin se sis ilaye vighabend-ye ays hands ne sohr id coll uns aper, sontern tod
uns albu ! Sleimbernd fauran sien strineg, ia declarit, in id bahsa ios Feenrig :

51
- Un albu ! Tem dusleiker ed tem beghsadab quem Elfhams albus. Eno renk ne gnohsim.
Bet kad sies accepte doce id mi ?

Id specto quod is albu yis ay sieyg maung de eyso stanos. Ia disstier, samt ghyanen
stohm, aun hatta reage kun ia exduilit eys lietern jaquet ed redahsit forme eysi hat.

- Sedd ghom, ed smad lyt comtolke. Solls suagnohe tod forest, ed ho oik werds ad iskwes
tib. Sei mi antwehrds sincere-ye, siem myehrse id renk mi has just liken.

- Noc’ gwehmt, ay antwohrd is albu, ed ne esiet prudent upernocte her. Sehkwte me. Sei
bevids wirt, mox trehfsies quo tien kerd paursct.

Invitevs Keldrilh ed Caythness ad sehkwe iom, is albu trohcit kyid nordwest. Spruts ghyahr
ant iom, aun od is hatta tohrb kyukes ansus. Pos oin hor ghang, is albu stopit ed sieyg ay
elementalistin :

- Nagwahnd seid, trehfsies un veut dreun brigvo quod spiend uper id smulk sprut. Tehr id,
dind continue aun aiwo linkwes id paund. Mi es prientlik, bet ego albu khako tib bringhes
hehlp trans tod brigv. Sei kardehs id ordeil, ed vanscho ke kamyaps, ghehdsies trehve
nies rayn ed habsiem plaisure os retrehve te.

Pos ta werds, is albu disprohp do id forest, aun od Caythness protiedarskwiet iom.

***

Qualg demon hiebit pussiren Pereim ed Kandjar ad explore talgo loc ? Pon meis quem
dwo hors, ir stieups eedeubneunt do id borbmayu unios muraisch wict ab nebsa insecten
pior norocten de trehvus tem facil praedds. Quando tenteer protege ir lige, ir hands bihr
attaquen ab ia drehnend hordes. Yadi habient habt un balsem contra ta multiple stehngs !
Bet ne in tod oistehnkend jauzaek, medsu kwaxa om centens em gamas, trehvient
semanghen maghend ibs dadwe sem… Eti, qui, ploisko iens, habient haben id follia os
tehre tod nebulenland quer vegetation se reduxit ad rar chuffs neden samt buxianxu
aspect ? Nespekent, ies nawieber, wedo tiel midsaur, in tod panko, spehndi nehse ex id
pre fayront.

Pos subeihvs gielwks ed insects, Pereim ed Kandjar ieur standic pleiskers. Semject repit
proscher ! Darnd Assilane, is ritter skohpt od nebule aunkohlder id aspect al creature. Kam
horrible ! Un gigantesk arank qual oct long pods enseer med rund bolghis rusch face iens !
Els prominent okwi reflegeer un cruorlasni haines ed, pos un bragv instant, el klieup ep
iens samt hayraneihnd syrat.

El Aquarank vurn Pereim, yed Kandjar kamyieb kamses un soitos os Slabereihsa ep el

quod mers el do un stand os miero strieke. Med uno magistral cutt, id einso ios ritter tohm
ia sankas al monster ! Un glend ed sleibic liquid gwohl ex els deub vurnos, ed el creature
stahsit still. Is brug to kay sehe Assilane inter els dwo okwi, neicend-ye el fauran. Samt un
horrible seugblosk, el aquarank disprohp proaiwo do id bund ios muraisch.

52
 ***

Minter quem oin hor hieb dohnt pre Caythness ed Keldrilh niek id ouper uns lytil sprut
uper-yod uno mosscovohrno dreun brigv spiens. Trans id imara os fragil apparence, un
supernaturalo luce, samlik ad Saphir, quayque os un subpembo spalv, beluc un
drehmlandspect. Ocolo id brigv stahr gensa om drus ed plantes i ne gnohr, cristallin
fontans lizden med menexis, roses, lils, adarles. Dwogimtia robusten avs, samt swordo
trunk ed scarlat pods, diswaurs pri i. Kam in id Feenrig, air kwecto clienghit med id echo
om vocs invisiblen creatures. Id sosule ios windios do ia waraks, un crack… I sprud ob id
lytst blosk, spehnd id apparition uns familiar creature, fee, nymphe au albu.

Payn-ye hieb i ghangen ocolo id brigvo kun un novo vision se pors ad ir spects. Ye id bors
uns paund ex multicolor petras oistieusit un hog hag baurt ab un archeskeip entrat. In id
forstehlben ios ghyahsa dyohrc i id fassade uns lytil dakhdom, quod uno modeste garden
periembh. Passeer sub id arche proscher id baytel, ensorbend ia swadh profumes iom
lavandes, orangedrus, iom bunges om tymian ed dafni ios garden. Her ed ter, id xor gason
disprohp sub jauharmosayics keipend vasyalgens plantes, animals ed creatures. Neid
dwoi ob ta mosayics brigh id irrefutable pruv : tik id passion uns fee hieb ghohden cree
solg daumos.

Belucen ab dwo hog fensters samt multicolor vitrals, id liew occupet id centre ios garden.
Uper ids wahid dwer, un tablette tohl id vyige os un jaden statuette keipend un gwen
kanend lyra. Ep id sockel ex albh marmor ios sculpture, uno message grohven in id
feenbahsa attraxit strax id attention as Caythness :

« Tik id mehmen os mien prev megdos ghehdsiet vinces mien desire os khalwa »

Impatient, ia wohrt id klink ios dwer.

Caythnessa straxit sien hand ! Payn-ye hieb ia touchen id klinko kun un horrible stohm
hiebit prohpt ep id dwer. Un aundento stohm quetos oisru taiper un blou flamme quod
slohnk ambh iam ed Keldrilh ye un kyudosto syrat. Ia tentit protiekyukes el palek ios
dakhdom, bet ia khiss od un augos aunfin-ye superior aysi wieldh id energia tos elementar
ansu. Ia wois eet inutil katue ! Kam ay hieb doct prevst ays mayster Misris, gurur ne eet id
lytsto synt uns fee. Yeji id inscription grohven ep id sockel ios statuette, el Ansu os Ordreth
kohns iam hol mer-ye neolgh os uperghange id soylo siens baytel. Noroc-ye, ia wois kafi
de feelikens creatures pro gnohe od ne bihient harmt. Nia fee hieb aiwo nicen ni vurnen

53
quelgvonc plaisure-ye. Protievol, sohkweer ir cipire quel dribh i dalgtro ud id dakhdom ed
iam fee os Ordreth. I ghieng, men hieb id pondos os ihes perodh ye gigantstieups. Un
khisses quod trohv sien hol signification un khvil serter, kun ia flammes qua skip el
immaterial palek diaspohr do id air. I wohs ye id leizdo ios forest os Ordreth, ye tricenten
peden ud id trubwedor lac.

***

Id monoton landspect ios muraisch biplictisseer Pereim ed Kandjar : semper ia sama

nedenchuffs, ia sama smulk meln pelegvs ed tod mussalsal nebule quod limitit ir vid do
sixgimtia peden. Ia kwaxa im gamas, ia strids im smulk wedren serpents ed id aunstop
drehnen im insects gughireer ir nerves. Yando, credihr aure id pleisker typic uns aquarank,
pior-ye prokwem ye ir gust. Bet id nebule ibs perbohrg id druve : real danger au fruit irs
imagination ? In quant fall, deciseer stope ir pert fauran ed trehve un stet kay swehpe.

Pos oin wassime hor paursken, Pereim ed Kandjar aunstohg un bizarre dru, midvia inter
un baobab ed un plangsalk. Un oku chehxen rassurit iens : nel serpent, nel dangereus
creature kwecto hieb hem her. Se installend-ye sub oino iom weur ghem ozden ios
vegetal, ies bliegh ir atavia de guidevs iens kye tod siuk ed fin-ye destull comfortable loc.
Pos eddus, lyohgeer ghom.

Swoidmadh gohr Pereimo medsu id noct : fu, eet tik un stupid coschmar ! Lyt meis, ed is
habiet confus drehm ed realitat ! Is bruk Assilanes pomel kay trehve ter sem tassalli bet,
ye tod ker, eys enchantet eins ei communicit tik un sensation os stump angst. Habiet id
drohmt id sam ? Pau importit ! Is eet pior-ye strak pro sib iskwes tod genos werden ed is
oiswohpyit jaldi spehnd-ye recupere nova forces… Posdini aghyern, pos se pieutus med
pastiurma, is ed Kandjar tohryeer ia muraischa in un srig ed madh nebule.

Bo aventurers eeghangneunt pon oin hor. Stayg, id temperature fiell brutal-ye ed indistinct
formes kwecto aluer ambh vos. Brusk-ye, vasya muraischbloska stopeer. In tod
waurgsilence, douzen spectern, samlik tim de quim Pereimo hieb drohmt, surexeer ex
nebule… Is ed Kandjar buir it wohkwt :

- Mertis, yu vahte nehce ed smyehre nies abadic azab….

Id combat contra ti monsters buit exhausant. Oins ex dwis, id miech ios ritter tohr ir corpsa
aun vurnes i ! Noroc-ye, eys courage ed tod ios magicianios naiwo slaberiesc. Ex ti
nemortus etilkweer tik dohrn vesters samt infect odor ed smulka cuper medaylons qua
king ir colls. Pereim ed Kandjar chohx oin ed kieur un serie om vagh-ye familiar symbols.
Ghohder skwites ia pos dwo hors :

Enchanters eemos
Pre noster skeulsa adone
Ed payghe id pris nosters gurur
Pridem trehfsiemos
Quando nehcsiet el Lacdemon
Quelkwe tu bih, obten nies pardon
Ed pliehg oku ke bihms lurn.

54
Un balstehmen ! Un demon ! Kwe lit de tod dict ab id map os Pereim trans ia muraischa ?
Id oin practic weidos os chehxe to eet gwahe tetro fauran ! Is ed Kandjar kwohryeer yinjier
ir itner, meg impressen ab ia wakyas ies hieb just gwiven. Kun nebule swohnd, ies vighieb
od bad likweer ia muraischa.

Tun incontreer Caythness ed Keldrilh qui crier ibs ke manient apo id lac. Quanti decis
comkwehre ir sohkwo, ed ia elementalistin kohns i hieb neid alyo cheus quem tehre ia
Muraischa.

***

I aventurers progress, wedo tiel ir genus, in uno nebule quer i ne vis ye meis quem dec
stieups. Parmadhen, attaquen ab uno nebos em vorace insects, boderihn ab ia kwaxa uns
dwaschaw em gamas, ed ir nasa ed gurgules lambht ab id leschodor quod regnit in tod
stet, i khiek tankes ir attention unte meis quem oik secundes. In tod loc, quant jecto
concurs beghsihes el mussafer elsa senses. Po un athime voleffort, kardehr ia
deskhauristats tod sterp ed borbwent region impos im.

Pos esus oistohngen ab gielwks, i aventurers lyt istirahiet, dind uperlit brusk-ye ex
mukhlato do alerte. In id nebule, ye oika stieupens dalg, i dyohrc id ambhriss unios
massive forme quod trohc seid-ye kyi. El creature quel rusch ex mighel unte uno mic slid
ep wedsurface samt un quasi total silence. Tod enorm corpos, perchen ye id bors om oct
long pods samt ventouseskeip ends, mehmih Caythness i smulk wedaranks om Elfhams
vivairs : creatures qui, nespekent ir mege, eent ja mahibe omoedds.

El aquarank vurnit mulayim-ye Caythness, bet Keldrilh ghohd plange id med sien twantao,
ed Pereim gvohn el med Assilane. Ia long pods al monster slubeer sub els vyige. El
creature vienk unte uno mic, dind collapsit samt un spreuz. Ia vesters im aventurern buir
poikiht ab slamm ed glendiht ab id sleibic cruor al aquarank. I hieb nausea lakin decis na-
explore kyid Damneitenland.

Menxu se despereer de aiwo trehve gwiv in tod duman, i aventurers ieur distinct-ye id
rassurant swon unios nebule horn. Id pert tos dangereus muraisch tem vyig uper i quem ir
kerds biet wild-ye. Also, guidet ab id grave timbre, trohceer kyid blosk, ed dyohrc mox un
spectacle quod glohdj ir sehrg.

In id gwayto ios buland wir qui gwohm taiper prosch i, eet semject supernatural.
Capchenkufyen, vehsend un long purpwr robe ed perambhen ab un luce halo quod repuls
id nebule, is kwecto movit in id hava, aun apparent effort. I aventurers nus id sieupe odor
quod emanit ex tom ses, quod lige i ne dyohrc bad. Brusk-ye, id nebule horn zacliengh. Is
wir stahsit still dind, aun spehce ub, bahsit med un lent, saccadat bet autoritair voc :

- Un part os magia – kay tehle – mien kwoin – in tod balstohmt – land – talg est id kwoina
– ios pertor !

55
Samt ghyanta stohms, kam gwohzden ei swol, i aventurers oispohc taiper id hideus lige
ios creature qui facit i. Ambh ia cadaveric okwi, id krewos kwecto disbihsit. Fauran,
hamrahnd sien geste samt un aghel gleimen, is ses liv waurntro un scepter quod un hand
epkih. Myrya purpwr bliutes gwohl stayg ex id brutto dreu, skeipend un immaterial dewer
quod bihsit stets plauter. Ambh i, id nebule swohnd, tadrijan aunkehldernd un landspect. Id
lac, ia dwo foresta ed id gabehrg i dyohrc dalgi confirmeer od i hieb uperghangen ia
muraischa ! Stayg, is creature clih sien scepter. Fauran, id helicoidal mov ios dewer se
invers. Unte uno mic, ia purpwr bliutes buir aspiret ab id scepter. Buir iter mergen do id
nebule kun is ses, samt clihn cap, repetih sieno message :

- Un part os magia – kay tehle – mien kwoin – in tod balstohmt – land – talg est id kwoina
– ios pertor !

56
Confrontet tei bahnd cadaver, Caythness khiss un desconcertant baysa. Bet, kam ielgs
kun eet demanden ud iam age, ayso swekwria bidarmiesc. Ia decis probe tom creature
med feenmagia.

- Un part os magia, antwohrd ia med uno nert voc. Eno stahals !

Ia tyic pirouettes ant iom creature, qui stier ad iam med siena mohrt okwi. Is visible-ye ne
exspectit ays maneuvre. Ne meis quem is hieb imaginet id wehrtwind quod lud taiper
ambh iam, repulgend id nebule. Kam ia hiebit previs, id scepter ios ses iter biieg. Is
creature facit ayso challenge kun ia elementar augsa qua ia wieldh iti niek id force os un
slab wind. Ia pirouettit, stets meis oku, kay repulge id bliutendewer quod tentit kernes iam
ed ays sokwis. Taiper ieurgh-se un druv badv inter ays feeliko ghab ed id magh ios
scepter.

Pos uno moment quod kwohk dure un abad pro Caythness, id katu bad suawohrtit pro
iam. Slab, nert, dind furieus, i ansus ia iemmer iti uperwohnd ays duschman. Ia upergih
tom demon qui eekikraght :

- To ne poitt – Poti – proteg me !

Per Mederlhins ptergs ! Petis quem drehde iom poti os un jecto quos maghs ghohld quasi
tem quem viesa, anter abdehe iom disciple ! Ia stopit fauran sien dans, quo lur i ansus, qui
dribh iom demon ed eyso scepter do ir universe, kamsei is esiet tik un kalmbindell.

Tun, vasyi aventurers vis i eent ye id leizdo ios muraisch, ed sis Kandjar guide i kye
Schark Dwor.

***

Ant i aventurers oistieusit un karwent varfghehrsend crest. Strohcit nordtos sudtro tiel
vidleus. Per id Schildgabehrg, ep tod sinueus ed glehdjiceus behrgsteigh, id progression
eet meg wardher quem ir map ios mundios Dorgan sisit suppones. Pon octent,
eeghangneunt ep un paund quod windfirtinas eefifirischent, spehndi nake Scharkdworo
pre bihe alnos perifrohsen.

Unte oin schtoss, pos besteighus un karwent vitisme, i aunstohg un spectacle quod
compensit ir quant efforts. Her, ep id synor ios mundios Dorgan, in tod loc gnoht ab i
menscens sub id nam Scharkdwor, dyir un Invocationsarche. Joymakhmour, endureer aun
pnehse id pwolhor ghango quod dar separeer i ud id immense imara. Tik hieb ia kamsa
enchantern ghohden, meis quem mil yars prever, ghyane un ghyorpasse in id gabehrg ed
ale, ambi id perigumt, dwo fabuleusa stuts ep-ya kih, ye meis quem nevgim peds hoge, un
lintel quer wohs grohft ia runes ios prest alphabet iom soitsen. Pos yars os isgur orbat,
Kandjar hiebit bad id irrefutable confirmation sienen hypothesen : id Nebhencitad ne eet id
mahed os eyso civilisation ed, kam is hiebit prekhissto ja diutos, id mund Dorgan eet tod
im prest enchantern. Mehnend-ye de ia kehnsens sienen parn qui ne hieb ei sparn id lytst
humiliation kun is evoquit sien theoria, is oispruv un aungrance plaisure. Id-on aunstehgen
tos region justificit plen-ye eys enderghenden.

57
Id motif grohven in id petra ieters pillar bug ep Kandjar un irresistible fascination. Is ne
hiebit bad haben id waurmen os conclude un pacto con un creature quel samkwohk
prokwtos we dalgtos tel pterct, squamic biestem samt jabbar pods. Prevst, ye id tid os sien
splendor, id arche permiss im enchanters kyukes tod ject os reptilian apparence.

Menxu Kandjar gwohm proscher uter stut kay chehxe id, ei kwohk od uno nert magnetic
attractiono nilentit eys kadam. Is tentit resiste id charm, bet id hypnotic fluid exghun sub
Scharkdwor immobilisit iom. Sub id effect unios mysterieus force, eys oklids clus
irremediable-ye. Ambh iom, Scharkdwor ed ia perambhend ghyors kwecto
dematerialiseer-se.

Kandjaro recuprit sien vid pos un cort instant panique pre dyies un spectacle quod udlit

58
eys follsta spehs. Ambh iom, apter id bantowmeing thol quod delimitit uno smulko kyalo
fliset ex albh marmor samt gjiaungsians ex heliotrope, is dyohrc ia spices om familiar hog
tors. Is wohs inter waurn ed ghom, uper id Nebhencitad, in un extos invisible ed kwecto
aundwer kyal. Payn-ye hieb is ganisen ex sien emotions kun, ant iom, ep id thol quod
opaciesc tadrijan, argwrntic runes success mutu, symbols quom maynen is gnohsit.

« Pon ciengow eet Dorgan, ed nimen woid quosmed tod mund buit befolken ab
vasyalgens creatures. Eent fees, albus, gnomes, dwerghs, mensci… ed tant alya gensa
quom nam ed apparence, ye id vesper miens gwit, ho myohrsen. In-kap, secules
successeer secules aun od jecto gwohm ad taraghe schiogiowng. Arrivit id tid kun uno
minoritat menscen bihr sighgheidend kreigers. Qui sohgneer de explore piern lands sul id
gigantesk Rharb Imperium. Qui viensch ghabe ed explie ia loys ios universe creer ia
presta soitsa ed aunstohg alya munds quer gwiveer creatures uns terrifiant augos. Ye tod

59
zaman buir tracen ia prest pentagrammes ed kasen ia prest kyeukens. Unte ta piern tids,
sub id impulse im menscen, id mund Dorgan mwanienit. Bet i enchanters, blinden ab ir
gnohsaghigda ed stieurste, commiss un prest rhalt. Sems im kyucten creatures oiskiep ir
control, gheidend xihes Dorgans opnos we persclave ia atmens idsen weikern. Pelu yars
serter, bad ghabend ia consequences irs ignorance, mieni maysters placeer id mund
Dorgan sub id protection uns creature quod udlit in intelligence, force ed karam quantens i
tuntos eegeghieteer. Id Invocationsarche buit construgen ed id Pustak ios Protector buit
scriben do vasya bahsas om Dorgans folks. Kun bihsim mayster in id kerdos os nudes
soitsa, i enchanters commiss ir dwot rhalt. In id kerd ios sombre forest Andaines hiebit
prohpen un vierdnic creature qual augos i misvohrt. El perscliev quantens qui gwohm ye
elso schaecheing ed el tohrb tik oika yars kay forme un cohort spionen, wisayct schijas qui
iendheer Dorgano mehldend id khauris khabar :

- Gwehmte con me ed yu trehfsiete quanto vies kerd ed vies krewos hant aiwo desiren.

Id seductionsmagh tim menscen eet tem megil quem i slur un druv exodus. Ex vasyens
members ios civil ios enchanterncitad buim is saul qui votim contra weir. Gururcoyer, ed
maghses ja corrupt ab id magh nosters peind, mien pars me makhkoumihr do id behnden
ios aiwoswehpen ed placeer mien corpos sub Scharkdwor, do un immaterial prison quer
neid ni anghen ghohd nake me. Oin secule serter, retrohvim lure ed gnohsim desperation.
Hungher, siuge ed ignorance sieyv in tod prevst prosper mund. Folks ed urbs, bayna-ya id
enchanterncitad, hieb disprohpen aun linkwes id lytsto trace. In menscenmemoria, etilikwit
tik uno meg vagh mehmen os Seleite, id citad ios forest Andaines quer un terrible boi hieb
jinkdoun. Io tyohgv moxu speh. Refusevs appelle iom protector, mieni maysters hieb
xubhen tod mund do un aiw om ruines ed misere. Kun io gohr, eemghi is senst enchanter
unios mund io decis linkwes. Un long safer me duxit ep un insule befolken ab simple, nert
ed pacific menscens. Id stieure mienen soitsen buit gnebh kafi pro ale ub id insule ed
convinces els weikers de tyices mien project : sules un nov civilisation enchantern. Ye id
saat kun scribo tod testament, linkwo im purts ios Nebhencitad un chance os aunstehge ir
origins. Sem dien gwehmsiet kun oin ex i siet durses venture trans ia mars. Sem dien, un
enchanter siet passe sub id Invocationsarche os Scharkdwor ed, ye tod dien, mien senst
vol bihsiet makbul. Sei tel enchanter retrehft id Pustak ios Protector, bad habsiem trohft
mien wirtic successor. »

Id senst rune ios message vanicit, mergend Kandjar do plen temos….

Id pondos os joyeus rehmen is magician khiss kun is retrohv Scharkdwors landspect

mehmih iom id stragnitat os quo is hieb just likwt. Is hiebit bayaldissen, to eet un fact. Yed,
is eet convicen de ne drehmus tod aventure. « Dehlgo trehve id Pustak ios Protector »,
mohn is kun is visit od vohs un robe quod ne eet eyso ! Un silken sirmadach robe, samt
jauharengjiaungsians, tem legvo quem un dantelle camiss. Is vohs id robe os Polyps,
senst enchanter ios mundios Dorgan ed dehtor ios Nebhencitad. Tod povesti, quod se
desintegriet sei alyanghen tentiet due id, transmiss un athime supernatural stieure. Pos
tadbir-ye dehvs epter tod sien veut robe kay perbehrge tod newohlpto tresur, is decis
aunstehge id pustak.

***

60
I aventurers sohkweer tun Keldrilh, qui gwahskwit id Mier Plain. In tod windfirschen
peltewih, is gnome regretit meis quem aiwo ia longa kehmbs ed id swadh gwit sienen
vatansclins. Id vatanagh ! Eno saul khisses ei inspirit id Mier Plain ; tod vast plain quod
vulbh i aventurers med sien immense glendo strineg. Ia koviles zaghyahr ambh iom
ministrell, tant perbehrgend iom quem unis mussafer forgwahto do tod gaivia dyehrciet tik
id topp os eys hat.

Makar in id air cliengh ia kans em parindas quanten gensen, vasya efforts im aventurern
kay kape sem wedirn hieb viduysen. Kun i stohmbh proscher, i avs topluk brusk-ye, samt
honar ptergplabens. Kamsei id nostalgia gohnen ab id monotonia tos landspect ne esiet
kafi, i hieb kathalika tohrpto rationire ir meriendes ed gwuntes iri adic menue sem akrigust
andsa. Ids subswadho zawk perbohrg un druvo vegetal poison quod hieb febreusiht i unte
un hol noct.

Oik hors dohn pre i aventurers emers ex ia koviles. Ne exspecteer to ! : Ant i stieusit uno
smulk stamberg, quod un plurcentat peurk uperkih. In id lytil garden ambh id modeste
dom, un geront glub uno smulk arbust med un serp, possowel. Neid particular attraxit ir
attention, sonst id kiestia tos baytel ed id chapachulia os idso suter. So orbatend geront
vols bad kun Keldrilh prokiel iom.

Stauvs ub, so stier ei gnome med un penetrant spect. Eys okwi eent samlik ad
amethystgjiaungsianen topaza. Puk brovs oistiengh id oval os eys buchest lige. Un
abundanto mustache miesk id exact forme iom lipps, qua i aventurers tierk teun sub tod
long ed rect nas. Ant ir okwi stars tunkye un bfuxiongo mutawardhen. Is geront crohsc, eys
traits dusformeer-se, eys okwi blig med un guwayo diutis. Im kwohk aure eys kerdbats ed
vide dum salge eys nastorms.

61
- Smad fuges ! Hul Keldrilh mwaungsound-ye, khakend resiste id terrorvoln quod lahsit
endo iom.

Un khvil dohn pre i aventurers durs recuper id annem. Im kwohk andhus uno muhim
distance ed, sei un gwaurod silence ne habiet pohdt ep id fenn, habient maghen credihes
to hol buit tik un gargic coschmar. Udstraj, i ghieng dalger ud id dom med wolfstieups. Oin
minutes serter, i ghaws id reiken im avs. Pos tod deuysen, ed sub id neihsa as Caythness,
i decis gwahe explore Seleite, id mysterieuso citad de-yod Kandjar hieb klut.

***

62
Dwo hors hieb dohnt pon solweus kun i aventurers penetreer un hog mischko peurken
quer plukwid crohsc brimbels, keubs ed farns. Dugter ios Feenrig, Caythness hieb heritet
un long experience ios forest. In tod vegetalo plohcta, ays pepermen ok ay permiss trehve
un wassic ed oku wegh. Stayg, i spruv id naudh os zastiupes. Ambh i, querkwe i spohc, un
turst vegetation hieb supplantet id tender glendia ios enderbosc. In prues pallid luce, im
kwohk uno mysterieus aura emanit ex tod stet. Lyt serter, i niek id kenar uns vast lawc
perambh ia ruines uns urb. In tod loc, i ne dyohrc oino nedraubhen edifice. I long-ye kung
de kam age, bzet curiositat praess i. Oik minutes serter, entreer id awo citado Seleite.

Linkwnd leudher druna iri imagination, i aventurers fikreer spleindost architectures. Kam
schahiden ab id gadrab i observeer perambh, enorm collapta blocks pod-ya crohsceer
smulk sword flors, Seleite eet un urb ex glas ed cristall. Un citad uns irreal purtat, aundwoi
riche ed prosper, bet quod neid menscok habiet ghohdt concepe. Towsraen, i sayrien in ia
strads po indices qua im permittient aunstehge id origin tos citad ed explie ia causes os ids
pehden. Eepaurspaurskneunt it pon oin wassime hor quando, guiden af hasard, i wieust
ex un perigumt ep uno smulko place. In id centre os un tricentenpeds plaut
pavementsmosayic, wohs un fontan ex obsidian, kawt in forme os coup. Ep id swol, id
decorative assemblage combinit different materials. Petra, marmor, smalt ed terracotta kip
un rissem i observeer samt interesse. Ex sien leizdo tiel pod id fontan, i mosayic oiskwiter
menscens vehsend sworda robes, proschkehmbend brous, ir olans anght engwn ir corpsa,
ir chols touchend id ghom in un attitude os fervent dyinst. Ne exspecteer trehve medsu ta
ruines un tem bell wehrg.

In mirveylment ant tod model os perfection, Caythness gwahsit proscher id obsidian coup.
Bet payn hieb ia lyt-ye stiupt ep id mosayic kun un kweiter ed moder schadravan gwohl ex
id fontan. Un magic fontan ! Naiwo habiet ia mohnto trehve oin in id mund Dorgan ! Su-
hieb ia haben id waurmen os visite ia sept fontans ios Feenrig, ia de wois id kerdos ios
enchantement iom surcen eet formohmen do ciengow, ed od nel feelikis creature ghohd
nundiens cree sem octim.

Caythness wois kafi de ia sept fontans ios Feenrig pro gnohe id essence iren magic
maghs : id depens an iri creators, kweter mortu au dar gwiv, eent suamenos au dusmenos.
Semper, quelkwe hieb pohn ex id wed uns enchanten surce hieb fuschioun, eiskwmen-ye,
id vol es un supernatural augos. Arriven ye dwo stieups ios obsidian coup, ia
elementalistin ghid oistille sien teurst. Lakin, ia redwoyit samt tant ghigda an tod fontan

63
esiet surce os bieda.

Caythness videcis linkwes id smulko place, samt un sensto spect apter se kun ia
uperghieng id leizdo ios mosayic. Id schadravano nifiell tem stayg-ye quem id hiebit prohpt
ub. Lyt poskwo, in end os aghyern, i aventurers sess ghom ep un cristallblock. Ploisko id
fontan, i hieb trohven in ta ruines neid interessenwirtic. Itak, i rik id Mier Plain, niht ab
Keldrilh.

***

I aventurers arriveer, sub un aumber, in vid ios veut peurk, ios stamberg ed ios ranghin
garden perambh id. Im ne molicit recognihes iom geront qui tentit desperat-ye rogye oino
iom arbusten siens garden, fallt sub id yugen hajoum os fwenghyu. Aun od habient
maunen iom de ir arriven, is rlaurjien stieu tsay ed vols kyi.

- Gwehmte prosch. Ste yu gardner ? Kad yu ghehdiete mi hehlpe ad rogye tod arbust ?

Kaurndo mae trudes ia flors ios garden, Keldrilh gwahsit prosch iom wir. In eys ovalo lige
quod oistiengh puk brovs ed un abundanto moustache, blig fascinant okwi, samlik ad
amethystgjiaungsianen topaza. Eys teun lipps animeer-se kun is wohkw iter iom gnome,
ablinkwnd sien biedan arbust.

- Per iom demon ios lac ! Yu tehrpte diu ghangus… Yu sollte ses teurstic ! Hungher,
maghses ? Kwehrte mi id honor os accepte id gostprimieve miens modeste hem.

Keldrilh uperghieng id soyl… Is ne credih sien okwi ! Id santur os Timhrandil ! Ter, hangend
uper id vatra !

- Timhrandil ! Mlu is kyid barbith, myehrsend iom geront qui precess iom unte oika stieups.

Id santur im prest gnomes vibrit ye eys appell. Ids melodieus music plehsit eys kerd med
un immense joy.

- Ies sunus os Timhrandil reike ! Pos tant yars…

Zachehxend id barbith, is observit id dom ios geront. Un table, quar stuls, patilis ed, ep ielg
mur, stikelkladen gjias. Is seddend rlaurjien spohc iom med sien nafiz okwi. Eys lige erkwit
med joy.

- Kam khauris aure iter oins id music tos barbith, quod Timhrandil niem Dorgans cleich.
Kwe to ne es’ daumost ?

Is geronto nuk ye id tempo uns vessel aria. Kun is oispohcyit iom gnome, eys okwi blig
med uno nefacet diutis.

- Pre redahe ei gnomenfolk quo bayght id, tehrbo tib lehge id historia os Dorgans cleich.
Unte ia prest diens ios mundios Dorgan, Timhrandil, pater im presten gnomes, volit se
inspire ex beauteit kay invente quo ne bad existit. « Plehe kenos ! » eesayct is quantims
qui swurgh de eys frequent absences we se zalisseer de eys inventions, opsst-ye inutil au

64
excentric. Bet Timhrandil ne eet gnome pro neid. Inat, is forakwt-se, orbatend unte yawms
in id megsto secret. Nimen wois quo is druve-ye preparit in sien torm iom Ranghin Berds.
Ta clins quetro id gnomenfolk gwohm ad page kun is hiebit bihn ids poti. Poskwo
Timhrandil disparih unte long yars. Nimen woid quer ni ma. Bet kun is gwirliey ex sien long
safer, tod kenos buit bad pleht. Ar Timhrandil, Dorgans cleich in hand, brigh id music sieni
folk. Eno hol historia tos barbith mi buit betrusen ab iomswo Timhrandil, ye id dien os eys
asimat pro id Seleite weir. Is duxit sien folk do boi samt yowngki, lakin succubh sub id
numer. Pos eys mohrt, id gnomenfolk se divis. Preters decis linkwes id mund Dorgan ed
uperghange id eustdesert. In Dorgan, i vis neid meis quem bittert ed aytan. I yuners mien.
Gwivent nundiens in id myehrsen iom clins iom Ranghin Berds.
Timhrandil viensch ke Dorgans cleich trehft un nov poti, sub id condition ke so kaneiht id.
Iosmed, ghehdsies kardehe mult ordeils ed, sei bevids wirt pro to, unie id gnomenfolk sub
tien bander. Bet prever, tehrpsies schife tod mund ud un balstehmen quos rouna ne poitto
revele.

Pos un excellent chifan con eys sokwis, is geront uperdehsit Dorgans cleich ad Keldrilh.
Touchet, id barbith kwohk warm, kamsei esiet beghapt samt un wi gwit. Ed id eet !

Id sol eet dar hog waurni bet i ja viensch pawiropeku ei geront, gwaukan de combate id
plaga quod menacit Dorgan. Is gnome disprohp do ia koviles kun ei ghohd id voc os eys
mejban :

- Credeihm od in tod mund, mox revidsiemos mutu !

***

Id clinenregion iom Ranghin Berds eet tem jamile quem i aventurers hieb myohrsen ia
elementarst tadbirmeids. Nocto gwohm ed eni eent aun schalasch ni aydsmo pro koister.
Im meg moliciet gwupes gvers apo… Chasseer ia kyehrsen idees ex ir ments. Tod gaivia
eet desert ! Unte ir ghang, i ne hieb aunstohct id lytsto trace os gwit. Payn hieb i modifiet id
druna irs men kun prohp, atopp uno nieber clin, ia silhouettes em decen desbulanden
individus. « Menscelns ! » mohn i pre Keldrilh buit wohkwt jahar in id lingua ios
gnomenfolk.

- Quis es tu ? Ed quod kwehrs tu ep noster schikergah ?

Id mekhtab uns prest quardel ne permiss ei ministrell vide meis quem id silhouette im
gnomes. Aundwoi ghohld id sam pro i. Is im antwohrd in sieno materbahsa.

- Som Keldrilh is Ministrell. Per Timhrandil, eno preuft to.

Med id kal siens prever poti, Dorgans cleich vibrih sien quanta stigas. Dind, ia swons
sohkweer mutu in un subtile ed swadh kittar om cristallnotes qua plehr silence. Dwodem
gnomes oistigh taiper ghom id clin, smeih ep ir lipps, samt joybleigu okwi. Stahr still ye plur
peds ud i aventurers, kam hypnotisen ab id melodieus music ios lyra.

I dwodem gnomes, miryowt ab ia soitsa os Dorgans cleich, obedihr Keldrilh. Diegheer

gwaks ed duxeer i aventurers do uno smulko lung perambhen ab mult kayurts qua dreun
dwers clus. Globes, placen uper ia dwers, beluc id meithel med un akster, aundwoi magic,
luce. Pau wakto dohn pre ghyahr ia dwers ios village. Ye id kal os Dorgans cleich, vasyi

65
gnomes sielg ir logissa ed samghiet, silent, ep id meithel. Is ministrell dyi ia giughint liges
em sien cousins, un wassime centen gnomen, mehnend de id augos quod ei ijieb id lyra
siens propater. Dorgans cleich rebihsit silent kun is decis bahe.

- Som Keldrilh, son os Everdilh, napter os Alboin, proson os Timhrandil. Trans id Kattil ed
is albh desert lyehct un gron dal. Un dal quer gwivent voster samgensi. Bringho con me
dwo items qua weitwodde id hakikia miens wekwos : Dorgans cleich, ed id gemme os
Timhrandil.

Is salgihsit id jauhar sien sacko kay anances id ei samghat.

- Ia mejas bihntu dohmen, kem i musicians accorde ir instruments ed ke mi biht dwo coups
ed un chascha vin !

Is gnome qui hieb just interrupt id logos ios ministrell eet albhdun ed bohr un quar cubtals
long berd. Id menegh abvic pri iom kun is gwohm prosch Keldrilh.

- Som Gobledilgou, roy im gnomes iom clins iom Ranghin Berds. Permitt mi spehce id
gemme os Timhrandil.

Is ministrell dahsit id jauhar ei gnomenroy.

Menxu Keldrilh drohnk un coup vin, roy Gobledilgou chohx id gemme os Timhrandil. Samt
bleigu okwi, is wohkwit sien folk.

- Kleute me quanti, gnomes ios clinenland, idghi tid hat gwohmen ke io vos revele nies
historia, ke rumpo id myehrsenoit quod behndt i atstens bayna nos. Id tid hat bad
gwohmen ke vos saygo id vertat. En id gemme os Timhrandil. Est meis quem un bell
jauhar, behrt un message bestohmen pro nos.

Gheslo yars prever, dwogim gnomes hant surviven id zalim boi os Seleite protiev i infam
dyindars ios Sphere os Kyehros, locbohnden dank i, ed ne dwodem kam yu habte semper
credihn. Mien grandpater, Gobledilgou Degelbel, buit kyusen kay succedde roy Timhrandil,
nohcen unte id katu.

Dwodem stehms protiev oct ! Talg buit id verdict ios vote quod oppos iom ad Alboin,
Timhrandils wi son, un wigh klut ob eys yowngki, betschi un gnome kohgnet ob eys gurur
ed vanitat.

Sekwos id vote, Alboin decis linkwes nies folk ed trehve sien nassib euster quem id vatan.
Quar gnomes ed tri gnomettes sohkweer iom do tod aventure. Con i ghenseer tik oin
mehmen os Dorgan : id gemme os Timhrandil ; tod gemme quod Keldrilh nos bringht hoyd.
Eno historia buit gwupt secret ab i survivers qui rik ia clins iom Ranghin Clins. Mien
grandpater intizier unte sien hol jumiung Alboins reiken. Mien pater mi transmiss id secret
quod ioswo vahsim revele mox mieni son.

Okwivid-ye emoven, Gobledilgou schohnk un coup vin ad Keldrilh ed ghensit sieno, pre
declare :

66
- Sellgwohmt Keldrilh, proson os Timhrandil ed napter os Alboin. Dalgayu niesims dwo
gnomenfolks !

Id logos ios roy buit owayn, sess-yo ghom oismeihnd-ye ei ministrell.

Tiel solweus, i aventurers oismyohr un alnos nemyehrsim fest. Un luxeus dapan, excellent
musicians, nackals ed dansers hieb nraviht ir kerds ed satisfact ir ments. Ye prue,
Gobledilgou hieb im adbohrn id gostprimieve iom clins iom Ranghin Berds. Ah, yadi wakt
maghiet ne conte. Habient gairn spens oik idafi diens in tod daumost land, bet
aventurenghigda pussirit i ad fortrehce iter in-kap posmiddien, oins kun i hieb ganisen ex
id strieke uns plukwid lituwent aunswehp noct. Gobledilgou chus tod moment kay
schehnke un present ad Keldrilh, uno smulk phial quod mathmounit un pembcolor
scharab, un ilajenpotion.

***

Srig stars blig ter ed cer in un aunnebh waurn, meg uper id eurehpend sol quod disprohp
apter ia varfs ios Rovarinster. In id crehscend temos, i aventurers ghieng ep ia vestiges os
un sanscha ed sinueus, nordtos sudtro paund. Yeji ia nesrakut bet indiscussible-ye
ghesorkmeht petras, tod wegh buit prevst un weur ed suatracen strad. I sohkw id. Id
oistigh unte plur peds poskwo ghom tiel id entrat unios mine. Ambi id access, fodden ex id
bare ed brenk flank ios hogstios ghyor ios ihatta, collapta baracks weitwoss id abandon ios
lyogos. Id meun wus, diffundend un pall mekhtab quod beluc payn id stal om rusten rails
qua dub do temos. Engwn id prever railvia, i entreer id mine. Wind enghulf heulend-ye do
id kayurt, swaurgend duil do id ardhinster.

Seddend, id entrat za se, Keldrilh glehmerih sien oms protiev id tunnelsten. Eys karakhen
finghers gvoleer ! Is kwohster ob rehmen : pos pelu aunbrungos peitens, is bad kamyieb
daghe sien torche. Ye ia windmarzihs, id flamme diens, projecend un rudh luce ep ia
stens. Quar leuds ghohdeer stahe nieb mutu sub tod trollbuland akmen. Kam bizarre ! Nia
ghianshieks ghomi, masnadhs in perfecto stand, rails gahapt ab rust… Ne eet tohrpt ses
ministrell pro tarke od tod mine eet in fact kaur-ye posdohrjt.

Seid ant i aventurers, ia rails mers do temos, sehkwnd un kleitu quod brenkeriesc tadrijan.
Perodh, i ghieng pri mult perpendicular kayurts ed viarriveer in vid uns wagonett
abandonen ep id via. Oika stieups duxeer i prosch id object. Iblis aventure ! Kwe maghient
nastehmbhe unte hors pre retrehve solgo kelpire ! Tod wagonett eet tuich, samt un braik
okwivid-ye in gohdo stand. Payn hieb i vitohlpto do tod, samt daghen gwak, kun un irritant
blosk troublit ir pwolswehpen. Ieumber dworis, mohn i balstehmend-ye ta wedghutts qua,
fallend ep id karwent swol, sturb iro rahat. Stump ! Stump ! Stump ! Kwe eet un renk irs
imagination ? Neid dwoi eet possible, id blosko gwohm proscher. Stump ! Stump !
Stump ! Stahnd in id wagonett, i scruteer id temos. Id blosk eet taiper meg prokwem. Sub
id waldh uns beghsaum impulse, Keldrilh oislimber id braik.

Is sis id wagonett eme syrat, vanschend se behrge kafi dalgtro ud sem eventual
aggressor. Sei un creature persehkwiet i aventurers, ti vighehdient wighes el ye id diutis
ios gwakios quod Keldrilh redaghiet. Id wagonetto stighit ghom ye un infernal spehd. Is
gnome videcis actione id braik. Ia kwekwls gnirskeer ep id stal… Stayg, un brutal schock
ejecit i. Rolleer ghomi aun incontre obstacle. Un khvil serter, chohxeer ielg mems iren

67
corpsen. Noroc-ye, neid brohgen ! Endem pauka contusions, bet aun gravitat. Satisfacen
de tod diagnose, ed rohmen de neti aure id minsto suspect blosk, ambhtasteer temsi kay
retrehve ir schowbey. Ir sacks ne hieb likwt id wagonett, taiper lyehgend ep ids flank.

Keldrilh salgih sien gwak id sack ed rediegh id, aunstehgend quo hieb suwen ir fall : un
bufferstangh ex petra quod mierk id end ios railvia. I aventurers wohs in un vast balma
quetro adduxeer quar kayurts. Neglegend ia tri tunnels qua stigh ub kyid entrat ios mine, i
ghiengeer kyid quart, quod oistighit ghom in mliako kleitu, trans un sword arche, tiel un
dwer kovacht ex un glat ed polihno metall. Un incutt wohs grohft in tos centre.

I aventurers bientreer id tunnel. Fauran, id dwer se divis lent-ye medsu se ed ghyahsit kyi,
hina bo plabs toucheer ia stens. Ant i, sub un vast akmen stohmt ab staur stuts gluben ex
idpet ghianshiek, strohc un tuich kielken. Ia murs gjiaungsianen samt gold ed jauhars
schimmereer ed twis. Id grund eet covohrno med id charp quod hieb est nudt kay kovache
id entratsdwer. Cuperlampes diffus uno mliak luce ep un cinnaberdarzo cristalltavan. Ies tri
gnomes, quoy stahr sub un entrat ocolo id kielken, discuss grave-ye ed kwecto ne hieb
dyohrcen i aventurers. Bulander quem Keldrilh unte oin wassime pwolcap, ies bohr
schungjin berds, tris plohcen ambh ir yeusmens… Tik penk yars eededohneer pon is
ministrell hieb ghohden plehce sien dwot cubtal ! I decis uperghange id soylo ios dwer,
zaghyahsit-yod lent-ye, aunblosk.

- Sellamat ! Iey Keldrilh poliht-ye.

Ies tri gnomes vols kyi ed naconverseer, aun zachehxe iom, in un bahsa quod ei eet alnos
negnoht. Dind oin ex iens wohkwit iom in eys lingua, samt un gargic accent.

- Sellgum’ do Mildrilth, lytil gnome, Bet ma iblis has tu prohpt ye tod dwer ? Tieni swehde
gwehme unte id sudroute, ed ne id veut paund ios awios mine ! Kwe ne woisst od….

Keldrilhs contolker ne hieb id wakt os ende sien jumla ob un second gnome interrupit
brusk-ye eys wekwos.

- Bet tayc, tu bulgher dwergh ! Kwe ne mehms od tik un noble swamen ghehdt it ghyane id
incuttsdwor ?

- Dwerghs ! Dwerghs !

Ies tri persons oispohc iom ministrell staunos-ye. Quosmed habient ies ghohdt ghapt od, in
Keldrilhs mund, dwerghs eent tik incontren in legends ed storias narren im magvims
epoins ?

- Quodkwe bih to, declarit is trito dwergh, tehrbmos vos duce ei diwan. Ed yu dehlcsiete
nos sehkwe vidbohnden !

Uno smeih hamrahsit id remarke tos qui hieb wohkwn iom gnome ka prest.

- In plen luce, vies gwak vos est pau util. Tun, vidbohnden….

Eys gwak ! Is ministrell hieb alnos myohrst id, ed so bulgher ne hieb-se beghsiht goile eys

68
distraction. Isghi betrus id tei, pre node un rika ant sien okwi, kam sien sokwis. Guidet ab
iens dwerghs, is trohv id titule sienios niebstios songv : In id bund ios mine crehsce long
berds…

Seid unte centens peden, dextro, iter dextro…

- Kam leite nies prients i gnomes iom clins iom Ranghin Clins ? Habte yu incontret un
gigant in id ghyor ?

Pelu werds buir iskwt ab iens dwerghs, ed i aventurers dohlg opsst-ye bevide imagination
kay trehve ir antwehrds… Levtro ghom decen om stieupens, iter dextro, un interminable
spiraldrab… Kun ies dwerghs gioweer ira rikas, i aventurers hieb diutos lust id sense os
orientation.

I tohrb skehpte unte un khvil pre ir okwi viswohdeer diewo, exghun ab dwo mier rund
ghyahsas baurn in id ghianshiek. Septa dwerghs seddend claus un desk observeer i samt
interesse, menxu i admireer ia reudhernd armes hangend kata ia murs ios diwan.

69
- Som Keldrilh is ministrell, mohld is gnome kay ornuwes un tolko quod vahsit ses long ed
chepran.

- Sdi sellgwohmen, Keldrilh, declarit un dwergho qui bohr un penkwe cubtals long berd.

Kyeusend un butt quod so hieb ja reperen, is gwut :

- Ye longer tien storia, ye diuter tod butt ios leckers’ bir tien berug smaucsiet !

Eyso storia buit sigwra oino iom longsten uno gnome aiw eelelohgit. Emovant, poignant,
mysterieus, heroyic, goilisk… is hieb sagvt samghate, pro id megst plaisure siens
audience, ia ingredients lasim ei bungos ios noble kerdos os ministrell. Eys narn ens ed
oin eysen mejbans gwohm prosch iom, un pair guanten in sien hand.
- Accepte tod present, Keldrilh, ed mae myehrs rikes ! Smos quanti impatien’ de gnohe id
narn os tien sohkwo !

Khalal, i aventurers vohs ye dwoter ker id rika quod mieyn ir asimat ex tod loc. Id dworo
grohft samt un incutt zaghyahsit apter i kun i bad oistraxeer id. I sriens irens prients med
un handznayc ed is gnome diegh sien gwak pre chehxe ia guants, tem bell quem argwrnt,
kaurder quem stal ed os un surprindant legvos

***

Pelu hors eededohneer pon i aventurers, iter guidet ab Caythness, hieb uperstighen ia
widuvitismes qua strohc ep ia Rovarghyors. Glau, taiper kwit medsu un starwent waurn,
beluc Dorgans piern plains. Stahnd ep un perwnt, i ann med plen pulmons id srig, pur ed
akster air quod regnit ye tod altitude. Ambispehcend id ihatta, i sohkw id druna uns
cascade quod, gwehlend ex un grotte dexter quem i, plur centens peden uper i, sikwit niter
do un deubo bassin, bayna perwnts lyigen in un pwolcircule ghyanen kyun penkdem peds
hog sehnkseid. Id kwit apni mers, bodereihnd, pre disprehpe do id bund uns crevasse.

Eent dalg ud id kalpwrnt, yed ne kafi mae constatevs id evidence : id udlyeigen iom
perwnts ne eet fruit os hasard ! Habient vaten od tod bassein eet un piskwent gwiveina !

Pos geirus un hogo crest levter quem id torrent, i aventurers niek id ped os un sten quod
oistaht quasi vertical-ye tiel id entrat ios grotte. Ye ir megil staunos, un luce bam kwecto
filtrit ex id ghyahsa. Id distance eet cort, sixgim peds longst-ye, bet miedhe perileusih id
steighen.

Un khvil dohn pre i aventurers niek ir ziel, po un colossal voleffort. Ielg iren musclen gvolit,
tantghi id udsteighen iom senst peds hieb est un druv korm. Oin instant serter, kun
penetreer bad id grotte, warndi mae ghange in id alv ios torrent, i aunstohg un spectacle
quod mers i do un aungrund os staunos. Ye sixgimtia peden, in id bud ios balma, in un
recess ios sten, id wed sikwit ye id surface ios swol unte un artificial udghang, grabhen ex
un ghianshiek darzt ab un cristall samt beleucend magh. Stahr un khvil still, blinden ab id
beauteit tos iswor, aun dahe importance ei mukuzay om raym objects oispohrn ghomi.
Dind ir okwi trohv id disaurdhen om brohgen vescell, raghen vesters, rustnukten armes ed
menscennugwrnt qua stahr id grund. Ne eet tohrben ses gvaedd kay tarke, kam i vighieb
fauran, od ia osta ed items qua empediseer id swol weitwoss un cult adbohrn uni primitive

70
divtat, aundwoi tem awi quem id mund Dorgan.

Un schangdien ! In ta hoga ghyors, Caythness albatta ne exspectit trehve un iser iswor ! Id

presence ep id grund om reliquias ex id prev ay kwohk bfuxiong, bet ne hina viole id
tradition. Quodkwe bih els buhsa, ia dohlg homage el divtatem tos desnios. Respectend id
swohd in gwis in id Feenrig, ia gwohm prosch quer id torrent gwohl ex id swol, mersit sien
hands do id isworo pre behre ia sieni chol dind sienims oklids.

Tod toplice eet un druv waurndon ! Payn hieb Caythness bemadht sien bruwentum tosmed
kun un walses sensation spohr do ielg om ays muscles. Ne tik eet tod aqua tepid – un
phenomen quod ghohld wahid-ye prokwem id iswor – sontern, bilhassa, id brigh un corpos
istirahat quos effect eet comparable tei uns ilajensoitos. Oin instant serter, dehvsa sien
vesters do un wangwl ios grotte, ia nigvicit in tod torrent, spreuvend un aungrance plaisure
ye id contact ios pur ed kweiter wed. Dind, redut, ia khiss id sislew influence ios
Rovariswor. Ia se kwahsit plena med un nov gwis ! Replehvsa sien gourde, ia constatit od
id wed, exter sien iswor, neti xih karime virtut.

Tsay pod id behrg, po un effort lyter quem quo i hieb dadwt unte ir steighen, i aventurers
abpieursk un salv schalasch. Oin hor serter, menxu aglus kowpeer uper ia ghyors, i
endergwohm do un dipla ios ghianshiek, sub id uperhang uns weur cornice.

***

Caythness ricskwit Ordreth. Id flammencircule periembh iter i aventurers ed duxit i tiel ant
id dakhdom. Ia elementalistin ghyien alnos mliak-ye id dwer kun uno mulayim blosk attraxit
ays attention. Uno melodieus music orgwohm taiper ex quer-on stahsit id jade statuette,
uper ays cap. Iey un voc ex eni id dakhdom :

- Entre Caythness, ed sdi sellgwohmt. Eewehlpneum tien gumto tem diutos !

In uno smulko kyal identic tei quod buit aysum unte ia mult yars gwiwt bi Mederlhin, un fee
se yieu mliak-ye zp un yawryiss, un hermelin sweslohnken ep sien grem. Id kerd as
Caythness biet iter wild-ye kun sa wohkwyit iam.

- Gwehm ad sedde bi me, ed kludi quo Stellianes kerd pnehst revele tib. Ees tik un dwoat
magva kun tien parents te betrus ei patu am Elfhams fees. Ye tod tid, menxu wohssta
trans id moder mighel os Saphir ye id prest ker, un terrible weir oppos id union iom folks
ios Imperium protiev i disciplens unios malefic creature. Tien bo parents nohc unte id
aksterst tos boi, ed, con i, tusents menscen, rittern ed enchantern, dwerghen, gnomen ed
feeliken creatures. Mil yars dedohneer pon tod daunosto dien kun quanti comkatuer in id
forest Andaines kay salve tod mund ex id implacable yug ios Sphere os Kyehros. Ya,
Caythness, mil yars ! Mil yars ios mundios Dorganios hant dohnen hatta pre bihsta
dwogimat. Ar in id Feenrig, id feenmagia hat quasi kamyapt suspende id druna os wakt.
Penkdem yars uns gwit in gwitu ghehldent ka oin in Elfham. Ego decis mane in tod forest,
ar ho viamen tod mund per liubh ios talenteusst ministrell tod terra aiwo gegnohsit. Way,
mien compagnon me likwit dwogim yars serter, six secules pre nun, redwoindo gerasce bi
un gwen quas apparence mant identic ex id dien os ays maturitato tiel id dien os ays
ramak…

71
Diewo wus kun Stelliane akiep id narn siens historia saygend-ye ad Caythness :

- Nespekent quo apparences maghe sines credihes, esmi nun meg veut, pior veut pro
spehe visum id Feenrig rikes id mundo Dorgan. Nia fee gwehmsiet ad eme mien
succession in tod forest, ed mien albu prients sient herite mieno modeste dakhdom.
Tibsmee, menscendugter ed feenswester, io wassiye mien dorgvst wesu. Sei sagvsi kaure
del, mien feelik hermelin sagvsiet te protege. Gwask-idi !

Id dwer al Ansu os Ordreth hieb clus apter i aventurers ja pon oin wassime hor kun ia
elementalistin wid un darmo resolution : trehve po cada cost un zariya os partyices id
senst wogv as Stellianne. Id Feenrig reikiet id mund Dorgan, dank iam, ed med el feelik
hermelin quel se hieb installet do ayso thurroa.

Pro id final etape os ir sohkw, i aventurers sis Keldrilh guide i. I ghieng ep id meln krant
kyid Lac. Stayg, i khiss ir kerd bate tem wild-ye quem i hieb id pondos od vahsit brehge do
tusents om fragments. Im megst-ye molicit annmes, ir jambs im kwohk fauran terrible-ye
moll ed ir oklids clus inexorable-ye. Unte oin instant, buir reducen do passivitat ab un
soitos om ajib nerce ed actionsokutat. Tenteer combate id edwoln quod affecit i, bet id
stieure bugen ep i ne im likwit chance ed bayaldisseer.

Retrohveer aum te id entrat uns longios kielken belucen ab un spleindos, vighabend stayg
od i wohs in id lac, takriban dwogim potems deub. Inspireer profund-ye… Nu-penetrit un
khauris kaug ex fresch ed gwinwnd air ir pulmons. Ambispohceer fauran id meublar irs nov
prison. Conteer dwogimtia gwaydern globes pre realise od ne hiengeer kata id tavan,
sontern swohbh leudher-ye in id hava. Apter i, un aysen dwer clus id wahid access ios
kielken. Un dwer tem solid quem resistit ir quant efforts. Ep ia gonmurs eent pigen dwo
gigantesk affrescos. Preter kip un urb construct ep un plateau in id centre uns lac, vafayi
kwiter ios citad i hieb just aunstohct. Dwoter enscenit uno mensc vehsend un sumptueus,
sirmadach ed jauharengjiaungsiant robe. Is wir stahsit samt un pustako ghyant inter sien
hands, in un ghyorenlandspect identic ei motif ios aysen dwer.

Ant i, medsu id kielken ed ye id centre uns rudh circule pict ep id swol, wohs un pult ep-
yod kihsit id pustak quos existence id chehxen ios affresco dwoters gonmur hieb im
revelen. Id circule incitit i ad megsto tadbir, bet sei tod pustak ne dahsit im id zariya
quosmed salge hetos, mox forheungherient-se.

Uperghangend-ye id rudho circule ka prest kay gwehme proscher id pult, Keldrilh dehsit un
termin ei keungen ios alliance, quod sohkwit fauran id exempel os eys courage. Stayg,
gwohmen netos, un creature stieusit inter i aventurers ed id pult. Un pembcorpos monster
samt neghabim aspect. Id voc quod skiep id kowp os movend krewos ghohld ir sehrg.

- Preparet vos ad nices, miser najissers ! Penetrevs tod temple, yu gwivte vies ajal. Nimen

72
hat aiwo violet id balstehmen ios lac aun kwihes med sien gwit.

I aventurers kardehr id disgust quod im inspirit el dekhschatic monster kay ornuwes id

terriblest katu i aiw eewewigheer.

El monster vurn Pereim. Kandjar sib kas un soitos os uperaugos : samt crucet brakhs, is
psalmodicit formules negnoht ab id pledveh. Keldrilh ei bir un cutt siens twantao ed Pereim
os Assilane.

Ye id dwot hajoum, Keldrilh kas un ilajensoitos ep iom ritter. In un critic situation, unis
gnome ghohd recurre feelik doinas. Med un deub voc, is sohngv id saul feensongvo
mohmt in id rigo Guinpelforth. Id fluid quod tak in eys hand ei permiss dverape ia arus os
Pereim ed sutes eys gvol.

Ed is ritter tohm quo dieughit ka cap al monster ! Ed el demon hul ! Ed id rudh circule
perieydh sammel quem el. Menxu gvaltic tremblens oiscuss ia suls ios temple, i aventurers
khiss od un athime pusc iel id treb tiel id surface ios lac. Un atroce gvol hamrahsit ielg iren
stieups. Taungh swoidghutts wierdh ep ir chols pre rehne ep ir liges. Keldrilh pohih Kandjar
un deilo siens ilajenpotion kay schife iom. Dind is ministrell diedw un upergnomisk effort
kay gwehme proscher id pult. Bad, is niek sien ziel. Ep ia blank schids ios pustak
wierdheer stragna symbols, poskwo buksteivs qua se sammel kay bihe uno message
scriben in eys bahsa.

Id desert bayght schark

Id mund Dorgan rharb
Ibs folks os Dorgan mien maund siem ijabe
Sub Scharkdwor is protector siet se aurghe

I aventurers oispohc ub. Id air kwecto blig med tusents multicoloren bliutes qua sgwes ein
pos ein, aunkehldernd ia perambhend ghyors. Westi strohc id Mier Plain. Eusti, id Kattil
twis possowel. Uper ir caps, stohmt ab dwo gigantesk colunns ep-ya hieb esen grohven
dwo reptilcreatures, samt rect propodia, un fabuleus lintel miesk part-ye id sol in zenith.

***

- Quel habiet crediht od un smulk gnome salviet id mund Dorgan pre esiet pior sert ? Me
has appellet ed her gwehmo.

Ghangend ep id paund ex Dorgan, un geront quom Keldrilh ne hieb dyohrct iti gwohm
prosch iom. Puk brovs oistiengh eys buchest lige, ed un abundanto moustache miesk id
forme eysen lipps, qua is ministrell tierk teun sub un long ed rect nas. Eys okwi, samlik ad
amethystgjiaungsianta topaza, blig med un supernatural diutis.

- Io te gratule, Keldrilh, ed tib ijabo id realisation tiens dorgvst wogv. Me de has meg
servicet, ioghi inkiep me plictisse pon mil yars… Bet io ne poiss decos-ye rumpes un oit
quod io mi hieb swohrt : id yowngki uns creature kam tu es iti eet tohrpt kay schiawkiene
ex mien memoria id aunmeid gurur em certain mertis. Bet bastet tolke, smad age !

Stayg, id corpos ios geront se periembhit med uno magic aura animet ab regular pulses. Is

73
ieur kerdbats menxu un incredible mutawardhen modificit id mege ed ia traits ios wir.
Ptergs crohsc in eys regv, eys corpos oistohg-se med squams ed eys lige dlegheriesc. Un
teug albh dum sielg eys nastorms. Fauran, ia pulses accelereer-se. Is jecto qui wierdh ant
ia okwi ios gnome crohsc stets meis oku, udbulandend ia cims iom ghyors. Scharkdwor
eet mergen in temos. Dwo noghs siz Keldrilh per eys colnier pre lyiges iom ghom ep id
pam uns hand plauter quem un lac. Un dragon ! Eysa squams blig possowel menxu is
wohng sien long ptergs qua clieck in id air. Id dum os eys annem skip teug nebhs. « Vasyi
vierdnic creatures vahnt nun baye ! » youblit is ministrell eni se… Med un weur ptergencutt
quod ieyrit hurcans in ia ghyors, is protector-dragon bipluk majestueus-ye. Is transportit
Keldrilh unte oik minutes trans id desert, do eyso sell vatan Guinpelforth. Pri iom, vasyi
gwivs oistahr still, petrifien ab paur. Bet pos id asimat ios dragon, vasyi gnomes likw ir
stupor kay primes iom ministrell samt joy ed lengvos ! Sert in id noct, menxu sgwes ia
senst ilays ios festios dahn in honor os eys koimreik, is abgwahsit mon westtro. Ye
solweus, is chiaujaenit ed nigvohn sien awst peind, tod balstohmto desert quod nel gnome
pre iom eededursit tehre pon Alboin. Is sehsit id smulko gran quod is dragon hieb
schohnken ei ed swohr sien wogv :

- Semen bihtu plante ed tod desert regwivtu !

Tun, tem oku

quem un
galoppend ekwis,
id plante esposit ia
dunes, qua bihr
daumost fron clins.

74
 ***

- Ne exspectim minter ud vos, Sire Pereim. Ste wirtic vosters titule os ritterswamen.

Kam surrect netos, un geronto knigv protiev un dweraneta. Un buchest lige oistanghen ab
teug puk brovs, un long ed rect nas kyunggiawt ab un abundanto moustache, neid in tod
protiokwo mohldit id lytsto danger sonst tod stragno specto, ta amethyst okwi qua kwecto
behemeer un supernatural diutis… Pre is ritter ghohd skizze oin geste, eysum eins rusch
ex sien lietern wagin, pluk in id hava, dind lansit mliak-ye ep ia rect hands ios geront.

- Tun, mien bell Assilane, es noroc’ de retrehve tien creator ?

Ka response, id miech vibrit med un cristallin ton, poskwo, kam regret-ye, id rikit kye
Pereim. Kun id lans delicate-ye ep eys pam, un pondos os intense youbel lahsit iom… Eys
intuition ei sieygit od eysum eins wois quo vahsit jinkdoue. Fauran, is geronto stieusit ub
ed, med un kyudost klaup, is lans ye centpenkgimtia peden dalg ud id dwer ! Rexit lent-ye
sien brakhs ed mutawierdh ye un assombreuso syrat : eys mege ieug bfuyi menxu eys
corpos covohr-se med gwaur multicolor squams. Dwo membraneus ptergs disployeer
majestueus-ye. Ye id fin tos surprindantios transformation, un hando tem weur quem id
dwer ghens Pereim delicate-ye kay behre iom uper ia nebhs ed dyiihes iom id cap ios
dragfon. Tik eys okwi samt swadh ed prientlik expression stabh ei sehnke do terror.

- Sub mien druv forme ghyeiro te danke. Destrugend-ye id balstehmen io hieb vyigiht uper
id pior gururic folk ios Citad ios Lac, me leurs ex id oit quod mi eededwighim pon mil yars
os neti plehe mien dulgs os swamen-protector ios mundios Dorgan ! Dank te, vahm bad
ghehde repulge dwoter tentative invasion os un staur creature, id Kerd os Haines, nibo,
weidwos, tien yowngki te hat ja ducen ad kwehre to…

Aun sines Pereim antwehrde, is Dragon interrup iom :

- Bet to est tik un detayl point, unghi mizdum intizart te, in proportion tienen qualitats os
ritter.

Hudeln in id pam ios protector, Pereim vis id mund Dorgan pristurdes ye un incredible
syrat. Ia ptergs os Dorgan ieyreer storms in ia steppes qua ei ritter tant hieb molien tehre
previ. Eys kerd biet wild-ye kun is recognih ia aghers, ia plains, ia ghyors ed ia foresta
siens vatan. Is kieusit od, in id sehkwo ios dragon, myrya multicolor bliutes oispohr ep id
swol. Yant ia niek id ghom, ia aw imperial trebs reconstruxeer seswo ! Pre lande prokwem
id Gheslenokwen Citad, eys mukarime tyic un complete tour. Id magia tom bliuten
parkwohr un druv miracle : id wastu hieb retrohven sien prevstic splendor ! Ep id mier
esplanade ex albh marmor, face id Palat, is fantastic creature lyig Pereim ghom swehrnd-
ye sien senst wekwos, pre ploukye gracieus-ye :

- Sire Pereim, ho makbulihn tien dorgvst wogv. Vos est nun zaruri restablie un staur
Imperium quer regnent justice ed pace. Ho reconstrugen id med petras, vos est zaruri
befolke id med menscens…
Tod wekwos dar cliengh in id ment ios ritter pos id asimat ios dragon : restit kwehre id

75
kaurdst, yaghi. Bet khaliban pro iom taiper eet glabe in sien brakhs sien familia quod rusch
ep id esplanade menxu un stets importanter menegh oiscandirit eys nam ed menxu un
grupp rittern se pariet ad homage iom.

***

Kun Caythness disbayaldissit, ia wohs sub un colossalo lintel quod, ye meis quem nevgim
peds hoge, tohr id hol wure uns perigumt baurn in id ghyor. Per Mederlhins ptergs ! Ays
leisens ios magic pustak hieb transporten iam sub Scharkdwor, sub idpet stet ios affresco
quod kip iom wir vehsend un sirmadach ed gjiaungsiant robe.

- Oh ya, lytil feendugter, tu wehs in id eust ios mundios Dorgan, sub Scharkdwor !

Id buchest lige, id abundanto moustache, ia puk brovs ed id prientlik smeih ios geront

76
quom ia aunstohg, pos un brusk parvolgen, ay inspirit un fauric sympathia. Bet kun ayso
specto crucit eyso, beghspacia lambh iter iam. Eys okwi, samlik ad amethystgjiaungsianen
topaza, blig med un supernatural diutis. Instinctive-ye, ia exkardkieschit sien daga.

- Per el Lacdemon ! Ex quod wehlps tu kwehre ex tem jamile bouquete ?

- Way ! Cricit ia ghyanend-ye sien hand, aunstehgend ia douzen rudhen rosen ia strig vice
sien weben.
- Fu ! Som nun tem veut quem myehrso mien kerdos. Roses vice tulpans ! Ah, ielganghen
maght rhalte, kwe ne ?… Bet smad zascherze !

Magic, felik, daumost, miraculeus, kyudost… Caythness habiet naiwo trohft kafi werds pro
describe id spectacle quod jinkdousit ant ays okwi kun is geront, leivend sien brakhs samt
lengvos aun zatolke ay, prehpihsit un starenconstellation in un yed azur waurn.

- Id constellation ios Dragon, Caythness, kam nel merti vevisit id pon meis quem mil yars.

Stayg, gwohmen ex ia stars, un luce flott sikw ep un geront, perambhend eys corpos med
un aura quos gwayder intensitat iam obligit ad clude ays okwi. Nu-wohkw un voc biht
guwayo iam-sim.

- Io te gratule, Caythness. Destrugus el demon ios laccitad, has vicen id message ios
pustak. Dank tien yowngki, som bad lurt ex id silence oit quod mi hieb impost id gurur im
enchantern. Nun, ghyan tien okwi !

Id sol strehlt sien bams ep ia multicolor squams uns creature bi-yom ia eet tik una micri
duilit. Ep id pam uns hand plauter quem un lac ed samt noghs bulander quem ia drus uns
forest, arrivit ia ant ia dwors ios citad resurrect ex ia flutts quer ia retrohv i feelikens
creatures ios forest os Elfham, reikus id mund Dorgan per id vol ios dragon.

77
 ***

Hieb is bihn foll ? Kun is recuprit id neud sienen sensen, Kandjar dyohrc, trans un tenu
nebule, un cap quos proportions udmikdier aum. Un kreus iendh eyso spina quan un
clanghonar voc wohkwit iom :
- Io te gratule, Kandjar, ed tib deulgo ya oik explications. Mil yars prever, id gurur im prest
enchantern buit id origin uns gargic weir quod decimit ia folks os Dorgan.

Starnd ibs mauve ed gehlb okwims ios creature, is magician se khiss stayg ayrn ud ghom,
poskwo transportet per id hava ye un vertigineuso syrat. Pau pos, is dyohrc un citad
suspenden uper un laco quod ei ne molicit recognihes. Is dragon eet neideti meis quem
uno micri nukta ye id horizont. Is dyisit id citad im prest enchantern, resurregen ex ia flutts

78
pos tanta myehrsyars. Mox, eys pars prim samt satisfaction id narn eysen exploits ed
quanti klewosdehr iom. Kariban, is bihiet is necontesten mayster ios sixt magiascol. Is eet
noroct, quayque is suspexit iom dragon de teyus id pustako quod permiss kyukes iom.

79