Excerpts from "Wraithsong"

written and illustrated by A.L.S.

Character Sketches

Chapter 1:Dhakkars

The King of Larsayan goes missing on a hunting trip and is discovered by a band of creatures called dhakkars. They take the wayward human into their care until arrangements can be made to guide him home. King Aaral is taken in tow by a dhakkar warrior named Talon. The trip back to Castle Syra is a bit of an adventure as the king gets to know his new companion.

Aaral Interrupts

Dhakkar vs. Raktana

Homeward Bound

Chapter 2: Larsayan

Safely restored to his home, Aaral decrees that Talon should be allowed to stay as long as he pleases as an honoured guest. This causes some friction between the monarch and his advisor, the wizard Oltesher Darien, who believes it unwise to allow the beast to wander unsupervised. There is nothing he can say to change Aaral's mind, so the subject is eventually dropped. Talon, meanwhile has started to adjust to castle life. His talkative servant Kesach becomes his constant companion, showing him around the castle and going on excursions in the countryside. The dhakkar also befriends Weaponsmaster Entrice and soon takes up a roll as the trainer's assistant.

Chapter 3: Restless Spirit

It is here that the wizard shows his true colors. As Talon starts to become bored with the everyday events at the castle, Darien persuades him to take up a dangerous task. Afterwards, the wizard uses the chore to try and frame the dhakkar for attempted murder of the king. The plan goes bad when the magic spell collapses too soon and the illusion is seen for what it really is. Darien has no choice but to flee into exile to save his skin.

The Serpent Shows Its Fangs

Chapter 4: Training

Talon takes up a full time roll as Armsmaster Entrice's assistant. The dhakkar has become a favorite with all the students, who have heard about the creature's weaponry skills by way of gabby Kesach. Before, Talon only helped to train the king. Now he is dealing with rambunctious yougsters eager to see for themselves what he can do. The training ground is soon ringing with bad immitations of dhakkaran battle cries.

Chapter 5: Missing

The peacefull life at Castle Syra is shattered as King Aaral once again goes missing. This time there is no doubt of foul play. Talon is the only witness and even he is not sure what happened. The only clue he has is a pair of crossbow bolts with odd fletching. With the aid of Armsmaster Entrice the origin of the bolts is tracked down. Then the cry of murder is sounded. A witness says that a black dhakkar has killed Lord Druhaven. Talon is the only dhakkar of any description within the castle grounds. In the chaos that ensues, Entrice manages to smuggle the dhakkar out of Syra and sets him on the journey to find the king. Alkyre the Huntsman is soon on the trail.

Aaral is Taken

Chapter 6: Escape from Chur

Talon is captured, but with the help of a young boy named Chenu he is soon on the run once more. The trail heads north to the last stronghold within Larsayan's borders and from there into the unknown lands. Alkyre is determined not to be foiled by a beast and a boy.

Chapter 7: The Search

The Huntsman is determined to apprehent the murderer, but time and time again the dhakkar slips from his grasp. No matter what he tries, Talon remains one step ahead in the game. The trail eventually goes cold within the bounds of a vast and treacherous swamp.

Chapter 8: Friends in the Mire

With Alkyre finally off of their trail, Talon and Chenu are left to face the dangers of the bog. They meet up with two other wanderers who are hopelessly lost and agree to take them in tow. The keltaag twins Tanja and Karo prove to be a remarkable pair of clowns once the shadow of death is lifted from their spirits. The trek through the oppressive swamp does not seem as gloomy with the pair around. Ever northward they go, hoping to find the coast.

Chapter 9: March to the Sea

The stifiling closeness of the swamp eventually gives way to a bright, sunny heathland. Beyond that, the Dogareth Sea. The coast is as lifeless as the swamp. Talon starts to feel that the search will be in vain as the little group struggles northward still. The dhakkar is hoping to find a ship that will take him to a far island called Baarek Nag. It is there that the crossbow bolts were made, fletched with feathers that only exist on that one island. But as the coast turns rocky, the sand giving way to massive cliffs, he starts to wonder if he will ever find anyone out there at all.

Chapter 10: Wind Reeper

As deserted as the rockbound shore seems, the quartet of wanderers is not alone. Eyes watch them as they move day in and day out. The spy calls out a hidden force when the travelers come too near. Mistaken for enemies, Talon and his friends are surrounded. A short but fierce fight ensues until Talon disarms the leader of the attacking gang. Weapons are set aside once the misunderstanding is cleared up. It is found that the two groups have a foe in common: the Shadow Men of Baarek Nag. Talon goins forces with the new allies, Captain Meric and the crew of The Wind Reeper. They set sail for the island. Along the way two more ships join the hunt after The Wind Reeper liberates them from the Shadow Fleet. Talon proves to be an invaluable source of cunning against the scourge of the Dogareth Sea.

Chapter 11: Madness and Magic

A plan begins to form as the three captains decide how best to attack the island stronghold. Information is wheedled out of the one surviving member of the Shadow Force. A prophesy is revealed that causes Meric to temporarily hand the captincy of the Wind Reeper to the ship's First Mate, a towering Shedran called Tamrin Soromyr. It is also discovered that there is a wizard behind the strength of Baarek Nag.

Chapetr 12: Barrek Nag

With the help of a pair of fledgeling wizards that had until now gone unnoticed within the crew of the Waylakar the Shadow Men of Baarek Nag are caught off guard. The raid on their stronghold is a complete success. But King Aaral is nowhere to be found in the harbor town. The only other place he could be is up on the tor in a crumbling fortress. The only way to find out is to go up and have a look. They discover not only the missing king, but the missing Royal Advisor as well. Oltesher Darien greets the invaders with the remaining members of the Shadow Force. While the sailors have the enemy distracted, Talon sneaks into the tower. Dhakkar and monarch make a break for it, but the wizard is waiting for them. He has one final surprise for them: a fiery eyed dragon with a thirst for dhakkaran blood.

Chapter 13: Partings

In the chaos caused by the dragon's appearance, Darien makes his escape once again. Talon fights the dragon armed with only his sword. He wins the battle, but the victory costs him dearly. Mortaly wounded, he is rushed to the Wind Reeper and the ship sets sail for the mainland as fast as the wind will take her. Fever takes the dhakkar as a storm rises. Delerious and confused, he stumbles out onto the deck in the midst of a hurricane. Chenu, Tanja and Karo go after him, but he fights against their efforts to get him back inside. In the space of a heartbeat, Talon is swept overboard into the raging sea. His friends are left to carry on as best they can to see the mission fulfilled. Back on the mainland they are taken up by a caravan that is heading south to the border of Larsayan.

Chapter 14: The Caravan

The wayward travelers begin to settle in with the colorful caravan lifestyle as they roam the countryside. There are rumors, however coming up from the south that all may not be as it should back home in Larsayan. Even though they are just rumors, Aaral cannot help feeling a bit more anxious to return.

Chapter 15: Nanaya

Deep in the heart of the dungeon-like labyrinth of sea caves a monster is waking. Nanaya, a young rythal taken captive for crimes she did not commit is left to face it alone. Death is the only thing she has to look forward to. It is up to her to decide whether it comes from slow starvation or at the hands of the mysterious beast lurking in the pit below. Under the gloating surveilance of the council she waits, knowing that it is just a matter of time...

~TO BE CONTINUED~

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