Book of Kayal: Strength of Unity

By S. Nileson

The Nosgardian Empire had just emerged from a civil war and continues to fight on the last remnants of the rebels, supporters of the toppled Gallecian Council. During their struggle, Naa'tas, a notorious rebel identified to be the root of the resistance, escaped to the uncharted lands of Utyirth. Ganis, a disciple of the Hero of Nosgard, has been sent on a mission to join a group of imperial soldiers to capture Naa'tas, dead or alive. The Nosgardians face the challenges of pursuing their foe while surviving in the harsh and unfamiliar lands of Utyirth. The currents of war favored the Empire once, but will it continue to do so after the dust had settled?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. Nileson
• Release date: Jun 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310357282

S. Nileson

S. Nileson was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. A grandmother working as a tour guide in Egypt and a father with a deep interest in history introduced Nileson to the realm of storytelling at a young age. In spite his work and studies being in the practical realm of management, Nileson is interested in where idea meets reality, and his stories always stem from reality and are conveyed in a fictional, fantasy in the Book of Kayal series, setting. Other than writing, Nileson is interested in economics, philosophy, history and whatever new technological contraption that is born from the minds of inquisitive people.

Book preview

Part I: The Diverging Path

Chapter 1: Assigned to Utyirth

‘It is an honor to be sent on such an endeavor by our Lord Demigod Emperor, an honor only exceeded by death during this endeavor.’ Philosophical Lessons from Utyirth (Volume I: Captain).

1

Ganis walked back and forth on the deck of the Siren’s Tear, the Sennan vessel which would take her to the distant lands of Utyirth, where she was told the notorious rebel Naa’tas had escaped to. She would join nine other Parthans, people from the western reaches of the Nosgardian Empire, in this perilous journey, as she was told by her master, Lord Asclepius of Katabasis Keep.

A cool wind breezed through her blond hair, braided into one thick bundle and held together with a long black leather strap wrapped around it. It was a practical choice for anyone who intended on keeping their hair long while on the front; although she never cared much for wearing it down regardless of how many compliments it brought her.

Why did Lord Asclepius send me here? Ganis thought, her black eyes wandering with fiery anger, haphazardly looking at whatever met their path.

Commodore Habitus shouted commands at his crew, Stock these crates here…Make certain we have replenished our stocks of heaven’s weed – his favored pipe stuffing – and enough rom – his favored drink – to last us for twice the journey we plan. He kept shouting commands to his crew with impossible vigor - of which all seemed to Ganis trivial, never a command to prepare the ship itself for sail.

And Ganis continued to walk back and forth. She cared little for the blue sky above her or the calm seas embracing the Siren’s Tear, reflecting the flight of seagulls gliding in the air. It was, by all means, a beautiful day for anyone who took the time to enjoy it.

A Red Parthan Ona, the most well trained and seasoned warriors the Nosgardian Empire had to offer, would be her new troop, the only link she would have to Nosgard once they reached the shores of Utyirth.

The Demigod Emperor Servak himself commanded that they discard all things Nosgardian before their arrival – their weapons, armor and all crafts imperial - for it would do little good save to aid in identifying them in an environment of which they knew nothing.

Utyirth was but recently discovered when a Sennan vessel was lost at sea for many crescents, yet the Cult of Naa’tas - the rebels who rose against the Nosgardian Empire during the events of the recent Ancient’s War, the very first test of the Demigod Emperor Servak’s worth – somehow knew of it.

Against all odds the Emperor managed to keep the people of Nosgard unified against the mighty threat of the Ancients, but the few who doubted his claim escaped his attention, and the Cult of Naa’tas was formed.

After the Ancient’s War ended, the Emperor’s spies, known to a few as the Guild, were freed to investigate and eliminate the rebels. They were all but destroyed. Naa’tas, the leader of the rebellion, escaped to Utyirth with a handful of mercenaries and loyalists.

When Naa’tas eluded all attempts by the Emperor’s forces – the warden order of the Silver Stags, the Emperor’s law enforcers the Peacekeeper Core, and the notorious Guild of spies and assassins – Prince Iolcus, the once-kingdom of Partha’s leader, promised that his First Ona, the very best soldiers Partha had to offer, would be able to bring him Naa’tas, dead or alive.

Yet these events alone would not make Ganis, a servant of the necromancer Lord Asclepius, join the First Ona, for she was not one of them in training or by blood.

A Parthan Ona, always ten, was a selected group of proven warriors who spent enough time together that their minds melded into one. The Red Onas, the very best of them all, were capable of fighting truly as one. Some said that a Red Ona took a life of its own at the expense of ten, but few saw just how deadly a Parthan Ona was and lived to tell the tale.

Ganis had never trained with a Parthan Ona, even though she was defeated by them in the Second Civil War of Man - where she supported the very same Council the Demigod Servak, before he became Emperor, fought against. Her servitude to Lord Asclepius was the Emperor’s punishment for her actions, and Asclepius saw it fitting that she should be sent to Utyirth under Captain Pertinax the Second’s command, the Ona’s leader.

If only I died back then, Ganis thought, boots beating mercilessly on the ironwood deck of the Siren’s Tear. She often thought of how simpler it would have been if she had died during the Second Civil War, as an officer in the Peacekeeper Core. Perhaps, she would think, there would be some afterlife awaiting me. The thought never lasted, no matter how bleak things seemed to be.

But now she was not regretful of her past, just angry at being sent away like a common servant by a man she was forced to call ‘Master’, an act she always found demeaning, but could do little to avoid without suffering from an even more demeaning punishment.

Another reason for Ganis’ anger was her ignorance about those she would join on the mission. She knew that they were nine others, two Turians, Ninazu the Alchemist and Sigurd Ironskin, and the rest Parthans, Captain Pertinax the Second, Hephaestion the Scholar, Thalia the Artisan, Priestess Eirene, Monolos the Beasthandler and the Twin Spies Percival and Dindrane. They were many names to remember.

The Turians she had previously met were all of incredible determination, a truly proud and capable nomadic people long separated from their lands, and she could but feel humbled by their deeds of which she heard.

Lord Asclepius, she had recently discovered, was also a Turian, although he came from a different age and few living Turians would consider him anything other than a relic from the past. His knowledge of necromancy gave him an unusually extended lifespan - a gift he bestowed on Ganis as a reward for her sacrifice during the Ancient’s War, even though she thought it a curse.

She also knew, rather thought she knew, that the Parthans would not accept her as one of them, not with the stance she took against them during the Second Civil War, and before she could see to the Emperor’s mission it was necessary to gain their trust, all while hiding her Dark Gift and the extent of her abilities.

Consumed by her thoughts, Ganis barely noticed the ship setting sail. The Parthans had arrived without her even noticing. They must have discarded their Parthan attire already, she thought. It was time for subterfuge.

2

Everyone aboard the Siren’s Tear was preoccupied with his own habits or duties. Ganis deemed the confusion an opportunity to get acquainted with her new companions. In spite of her objection to being sent away from Katabasis Keep, she knew that the voyage would be even more unpleasant alone.

Like a chain, an Ona was as capable as its weakest link, Ganis had learned, studying the Parthans once during her service in the Peacekeeper Core and once more under the mentorship of Asclepius. To her, being the weakest member of the Ona would be unacceptable. And not to be the weakest required her not only to be strong, but also to be in harmony with them. She would need to belong.

To Ganis, it seemed reasonable to start her introduction with the leader of the group, Pertinax the Second, whom she identified by overhearing some sailors speak.

Standing on the edge of the ship’s bow in an attempt to get a better view of the sculpted Siren serving as the ship’s figurehead made the tall white-haired man easy to find.

Once Ganis approached him, Pertinax requested her to hold his hand and secure him if he lost his footing during his acrobatics. She agreed and held his hand, watching as he clumsily hung on the vessel’s grey wood. Once the air started striking his grease-covered hair, running its perfection, he quickly returned and produced a wooden comb from within his cloak.

Thank you, Pertinax said, combing his straight white hair. His brown eyes stared directly into Ganis’, attempting to burn an image of her in his mind.

Ganis nodded. I just wanted to introduce myself.

You are Ganis, Asclepius’ companion and former Protector Commander of the Peacekeeper Core. You were captured by the Demigod Emperor Servak, Pax bless him, and sentenced to serve the released Necromancer Asclepius as punishment for aiding the Council during the Second Civil War. Although you were directly assigned to Asclepius, your second and main task was to spy on him… Pertinax continued to flawlessly recited Ganis’ known history. Once he finished combing his hair, Pertinax stowed his comb back into the pocket of his grey cloak from which it came and continued, I know who you are. The real question is: do you know who I am?

Other than being my leader and serving Servak, I know nothing of you. Ganis was shocked by her Commander’s assiduousness. She judged that he might be a peculiar fellow from his appearance, but her assessment was far from accurate to the level of his peculiarity.

"As a comrade and a member of our Ona, I believe it important for you to know about me as much as I know about you. My story began forty years ago when I taught at the Parthan School of Knowledge. Signs of the First Civil War started worrying many of the scholars and thus, by their council, the leaders started reacting to those worrying signs.

"I was young at the time, and felt obliged to do more for my kingdom and king. Fueled by youthful passion, I volunteered to join the Parthan forces and was immediately assigned as an officer to serve in a fighting Parthan division.

"My rune-bearing capabilities and education made me privy to the best training and care, thus I was assigned to a high-ranking unit. Once my loyalties were certain and my training complete, I was carved with the same runes Parthan Protectors were required to bare, unless they had already undergone the ritual before they joined the force, of course.

"Shortly after I started my military career, the Civil War of Man broke and my duties were multiplied. Although the Parthans had the best trained and equipped soldiers, we were overwhelmed by a far larger force with far more resources.

"It was not long until the casualties started piling up and we were forced to retreat to a defensive position. With all our prosperity and military might, we were incapable of fighting the world on our own. Once we were driven into our lands, the combined kingdoms of men built a wall around Partha to imprison us, cutting us off from most of our lands and the outside world.

We then fell into a godless darkness. This, my friend, was when I met Lyra and the Demigod Emperor Servak, Pax bless him. They showed us the path to salvation and peace, the Path of Pax. Pertinax looked above him and gazed towards the endless blue skies.

How did you get to be in Lyra’s Ona?

Pertinax lowered his eyes and looked straight into Ganis’, saying, Pax led me to her. All I had to do was simply follow the path he set me on. Tell me, Ganis, is there a deity you believe in?

No, Ganis responded adamantly. She had long lost the little faith she had with the last of her dead men. I do not believe that sins and virtues affect the path our spirits tread once freed from our physical realm. I know that there is no reward for the just, nor is there punishment awaiting the wrongful. Once we die, we just seize to exist and rejoin the earth once again. I believe, captain, that the gods have abandoned our kind long ago.

Pertinax smiled and patted Ganis’ shoulder. Perhaps one day I could convince you of Pax‘s existence and show you the degree of his involvement. I have told you enough of my past for you to know who I am. The details, however, will have to wait for another time. Pertinax walked away from Ganis and towards the stairway leading to the lower decks. Before he disappeared into the darkness, Pertinax looked back and whispered to himself, It will be an interesting journey.

Although his final words were not meant for Ganis’ ears, her enhanced senses allowed them to be so. Ganis watched the skies for a moment before retiring to her quarters below, her thoughts entirely on the Parthans and the beauty of the sight escaped her.

Chapter 2: To Hearth of Dale

‘We can build cities, kingdoms and empires all we want, but when nature rises against us with full force, we are reminded that the greatness we can achieve is only as much as we are allowed to.’ Philosophical Lessons from Utyirth (Volume I: Commodore).

1

Just as the distant lands of Utyirth appeared in the horizon, a violent storm raged behind the Siren’s Tear. Commodore Habitus and his crew attempted to outrun the indiscriminate force of nature, but it proved to be an impossible feat. The storm’s fury caught up with the Sennan vessel in spite of the experienced crew’s effort.

Untrained and unused to sailing, the Parthans were incapable of offering any assistance during this time of crisis, hence they were ordered to remain in their quarters, an embarrassing gesture to Pertinax. The sea was rough on the imperial ship, but it was not violent enough to damage the sturdy ironwood hull. Commodore Habitus’ ship remained intact in spite of nature’s show of force.

The storm, threatening as it was, pushed the Siren’s Tear towards Utyirth’s rocky eastern shores, crashing it into the boulder-riddled shores. Wooden planks remained intact, but some of the iron screws holding them had come undone.

Once the ship was firmly wedged amidst the rocks, Commodore Habitus took a head count of all his crew and guests. A lifetime spent at sea gave the crew the necessary skills to assure the survival of their guests in spite of the disaster. Fate, it seemed, deemed it too early to start claiming the lives of Parthans.

Pertinax offered to aid the Imperial Commodore, but his offer was refused, once more, due to the lack of necessity for additional men to manage this crisis.

Are you certain that you can spare our assistance? Pertinax asked.

I have all the hands I need here. As long as we do not run out of rom or heaven’s weed, the repairs will proceed as planned. Besides, we only need to salvage the ironwood planks that washed ashore and return them to their intended place. He casually pointed his thumb at the ship behind him.

Their mission has been completed. It’s time that we work on finishing ours as well, Ganis suggested to Pertinax. Her hunger had grown fierce over the duration of the voyage. The blood of mice and escaped rodents was barely enough the sustain her.

I agree with your companion, Captain Pertinax.

Glad by Ganis’ initiative, Pertinax smiled and added, Then off we go?

The ten companions quickly packed what little they had and took their first steps away from the shore. Snow covered the tops of the trees, but the land was free from flakes, for the salty ocean waters were more resistant to the cold than the tree-produced dew.

The Parthans were cold and poorly dressed for the conditions they faced. Nevertheless, fortune was on their side with the dense forest ahead filled with enough fuel to prepare a warming fire and wildlife to offer meat and furs.

What now, captain? Ganis eagerly asked. She investigated her companion’s intentions to look for an opportunity to sink her teeth in a juicy animal, one rich with her much-needed blood. The journey had left her without a proper meal since their departure from Nosgard, and the urge was becoming difficult to control.

We carefully head inland. I need everyone to look for any materials we can use to better prepare ourselves against the cold and threatening foes. He pulled his cloak tight around him and fastened it with the straps within. "Other than our hunting daggers, we have no weapons to defend ourselves.

Percival and Dindrane will look for branches and wood to make bows. Ninazu will gather samples of the indigenous plants to test them for usefulness. Monolos will send his hawk, Screo, to scout ahead of us and direct us away from danger. The rest will remain to keep an eye on any surprises we might encounter. Realizing that he was not familiar with Ganis’ abilities, Pertinax looked at her intently and asked, What are you skilled at?

Tracking and hunting. We will need food and furs. I’m certain that in this forest I can find a decent meal fairly quickly. Ganis’ skills in tracking and hunting had been sharpened even further after she was reborn by Asclepius’ hand, yet none of the others knew the extent of her skill.

As we are not desperate for food to sacrifice safety, I prefer you remain by us, although Pertinax’s response was casual, it was the first order he gave to Ganis – and she knew it.

I see the wisdom in this choice. I can still manage a few more days of fasting, she convinced herself.

With no need to convey the orders to the members of the Ona - one of the many advantages their bond gave them - the Parthans commenced their journey within the uncharted lands.

The perilous journey to maintain the peace and safety of Nosgard had only just begun, for none of them was prepared to face the challenges ahead.

2

The forests grew denser as the Ona advanced further inland. The long trees covered a vast area, marking it with their shadows, and skeletal shrubs appeared from beneath the snow. Sections of the forest’s floor were covered in patches of snow and leaves. Although the cold was harsh, many trees continued to grow green and the forest was buzzing with life.

Careful treading, and Thalia’s calligraphy skills, allowed the Parthans to roughly map the layout of the land they had covered, offering them ample time for their side-tasks. By the time they reached their temporary camping site, enough materials and knowledge about the forest was gathered to ensure the group’s survival.

Ninazu collected a large amount of herbs, which he stocked in pockets he had stitched into the inner layer of his cape. Due to similarities in the smell, color and shape of other plants existing in Nosgard, the dark bearded man was able to identify many uses for several specimens he had collected.

Percival and Dindrane, the red-haired twins, gathered ten long fallen tree branches to make bows. On the march, Dindrane plucked strands of her red hair and made her bow’s string with them. The abundance of wood made it unnecessary to collect additional branches for arrows.

Monolos, the tanned man with black hair, sent Screo to scout up ahead. The hawk reported no humanoids, but several deer. Screo took no rest between his scouting commands and reported in regular intervals, grey eyes never blinking. The animal handler kept a close watch on any useful beasts he could have trained and made use of, but found none.

Hephaestion had closely inspected the terrain and wildlife surrounding them to develop a plan for the construction of their temporary camp. It did not take long for the chestnut-haired tactician to determine the materials and amount of time required to complete the crude structures.

Ganis noticed that her priestess companion, Eirene, held a statue of Pax, carved out of a white wood with a calm smiling Alvian face, in her hand. She whispered prayers as she caressed the statue’s face with her thumb.

I still find it ironic that a soldier like you prays to the God of Peace.

I am not a soldier. I am a priestess. Her fair face carried a gentle smile, covered only by the occasional stray strand of her long black hair swinging with a lone breeze.

It’s still ironic; praying for peace while acting for death.

Death is not contradictory to peace, she noted. You do have a valid point, but once the way of Pax is revealed to you, it will make sense. Eirene maintained her soothing smile on her face while addressing her companion. She had no intention to sound condescending and talked softly to Ganis.

Is it not against Pax’s will to shed blood?

Pax leads us to the way of eternal peace and salvation. Although my methods might seem contradictory, they do eventually lead to salvation. However, I still pray to be forgiven for the injustices I might have ignorantly caused.

Why? Distracted by a motion she sensed deep within the forest, Ganis looked to her right and asked yet again, Why? The hunger was growing too fierce to control.

Because the suffering I had caused cannot be forgiven without sincere guilt and remembrance. If I make a habit of taking lives, then I stand to forget how valuable they are. Eirene looked at the disturbance which grasped Ganis’ attention and asked, What is it?

I just found my game. Monolos’ hawk reported correctly. This forest is indeed filled with deer. Once we reach camp, I will bring you this deer. She pointed at the general area where her sight was fixed - her true intentions well hidden.

It is impressive that you can mark a target from such a distance. Now, Ganis, do you wish to be enlightened about any other spiritual matter?

No. I need to focus with this deer, investing a great deal of effort to suppress the urge to feed on her faithful comrade, Ganis concluded the conversation and distanced herself.

Just before the sun was about to set, Pertinax gave the order to set up camp. The tireless Ona had managed to travel a long distance since the Siren’s Tear had crashed. Finally they had the opportunity to use that which they gathered. Almost instinctively, the Parthans started working on their assignments immediately.

As Ganis headed out to hunt the deer she had marked earlier - and to feed – the blue-eyed Thalia approached her to offer aid in the hunt.

Hephaestion informed me that that you are to bring us dinner. Nothing builds a better bond between women like hunting. Her braided yellow hair swung violently as she gestured dramatically.

I thought fist fights were better. She smiled. Please let me go.

Yes they do, but it doesn’t help me prove my point. Thalia leaned on a tree, snow piling by the protruding roots of the tree making the difficult gesture seem forced to Ganis.

I’ll do this alone. It’s somewhat of a personal test. The hunger made it difficult to conjure a better excuse.

You’re a very interesting person, Ganis. Perhaps the Wolf Emperor’s suggestion to bring you along will end up teaching me a thing or two. Good luck. She pushed herself away from the tree and stumbled back in place, shaking her single yellow braid back in place as she turned, Thalia walked away.

With no further delays, Ganis sought out the marked deer. Unlike other hunters, Ganis tracked her prey by scent. The irresistible sweet nectar of life flowing inside the deer’s veins caused her to hastily run towards it.

Once Ganis was at a safe distance from her comrades, she unleashed her Dark Gift and covered the distance between the deer and herself in a fraction of the time it would take any other of her companions.

The animal had no chance to react and found Ganis suddenly at its throat. It was a young deer at mating age, a prey many hunters would ignore, but to Ganis it was just food. The bloodlust took over and her feeding frenzy began.

After spending the voyage feeding on the occasional rat she came across, the deer’s pumping blood felt like a royal feast as it rushed into her parched throat, gradually quenching her thirst with each dying heartbeat. The moroi was finally properly fed and ready for the dangers to come.

3

Ganis returned to the camp far quicker than any human could manage, given the enormous distance she travelled. In order to maintain her true identity secret, she had prepared an explanation to justify her speedy return.

Because the efficient Ona had set the temporary campsite at a far quicker pace than Ganis anticipated, she momentarily thought that she had lost hear bearing and stumbled upon another group. Trouble?

Five round huts built with wooden branches, leaves and snow had been hastily constructed around a campfire. What was but a brief clearing when Ganis first set out for the deer had become a rudimentary camp for the outlanders.

Relieved after seeing the Parthans finishing the final stages of the construction, Ganis abandoned her hiding spot and proceeded to report her catch to Thalia. A pot made from an unusually conveniently shaped rock had ingredients boiling in it in preparation for Ganis’ catch.

You finally returned! We’re starving! as soon as she saw Ganis approach, Thalia remarked. Impressive! You can carry that deer on your back so easily. Even with our runes it would be a challenge for any of us. I wonder what Asclepius taught you at Katabasis. Thalia’s suspicions unintentionally slipped from her hasty tongue. She covered it well with her casual tone, but not without Ganis taking notice.

I’ve been training a great deal to prepare for this mission. Ganis dropped her catch violently, releasing a wild thump as it struck the icy ground.

Thalia immediately unsheathed her dagger and began skinning the beast. As soon as enough skin had been removed to allow the cutting of a large chunk of meat, Thalia sliced some of the carcass’ meat and threw it into the boiling stew, with little regard to splashing its contents. Continuing skinning and cutting the beast, she said, So you knew about this mission a while ago?

Not this mission, but a mission. Lord Asclepius deemed it necessary for my training to undergo a quest of sorts.

After having thrown another chunk of meat into the cooking pot, ensuring that there was enough to satiate the entire Ona, Thalia proceeded with the skinning in a much more artistic manner. She patiently ran her dagger between the skin and muscle of the beast as her free hand pulled to separate the hide.

Emperor Servak has been generous with giving away titles, Thalia said, naming many new lords and dukes. I also hear that he intends to make these titles inheritable.

How do you know of such things?

Laughing at the matter merrily, she replied with a tune, Before the light of my memory shone, I was implanted with much known. Once my second life began, it was clear how much its span.

That’s a rather annoying way of saying that you don’t know.

I need to work on this tune. People need a song to remember my greatness. She cut another smaller chunk of meat and threw it in the pot.

For a while Ganis observed her comrade skinning the deer. In spite of her experience with leather, she was impressed by Thalia’s skill. The ease of her motions while separating the carcass’ components made the tedious and tiresome process appear to be pleasant. Before completely skinning the animal’s hide, Thalia used a rope she had prepared earlier to hang the corpse. Shortly afterwards, she gutted the animal and started cutting small pieces of meat to preserve. A dear was quite the catch. Nothing was wasted by the Parthans.

Thank you for bleeding the animal while bringing it here.

Ganis was relieved that her attempt to hide her feeding marks was successful. An experienced hunter always prepares as much as possible while on the move.

No they don’t. But experienced soldiers do. She smiled, yellow hair swinging as she worked. I imagined you to be more of a clumsy hunter that would puncture a beast’s skin beyond repair.

Just cook in silence. They both shared a smile.

Of all the Parthans, Ganis felt her bond with Thalia growing the strongest. She knew that it was important for an Ona, but she was still far from being one with them.

Pertinax approached the two women and spoke. Ganis, are you familiar with the Parthan Ona watch system?

Rotate groups of watches consisting of two members thrice a night?

That is one of the systems we use, and the one we will apply tonight. Because you have not yet been attuned to us, I would like you to keep watch with Eirene. She should be the easiest to attune to.

Not completely understanding Pertinax’s justification, Ganis nodded agreeably. Once Pertinax walked away and entered his hut, Ganis asked of Thalia, Which one of these five huts is mine?

I believe that the one to the left has not been occupied yet. Thalia smiled menacingly. You will share it with her holiness.

I hope her blind faith is not contagious. I would hate to wake up the next morning and find myself yearning for a white wooden statue of some disproportionate Alvian.

Taking offence in the Ganis’ words, Thalia replied, as any devout servant of Pax would, I know that I constantly make fun of the priestess and her obsessive praying, but Pax is our deity and you should not berate him unless you are a follower of our ways. I also think that faith will go a great deal with someone that possesses your potential.

To avoid any