Araman

By R M S

The mysterious Unisayan are not sacred, worshipped or protected... 
They are hunted.

Despite vowing never to complete her duty as Araman and lure a Unisayan to a Knight's sword, Raliena uses her healing powers to save the life of Kassen; a General who is to murder a creature Raliena fights to protect.

This act of kindness unwittingly interrupts a dangerous man's ploy to stop an impending alliance between two tremulous kingdoms, but Raliena is mistaken when she thinks it is the throne he wishes to claim. 

A shadowy past rouses a new future for Fardonmeria and with a dusky past of his own, Dergen will use the Rite of the Sinner to gain what is his by force. 

Using the ancient slavery of an Armon's sacred power, he will become Master Sinner and not even Raliena's will can oppose him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R M Rayne
• Release date: Apr 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781393628835

Book preview

Prologue

It was difficult for the small dark figure, making his way slowly across the forest of gravestones, to navigate around each designated territory of soil which held the bed of a single hibernating corpse.

It would have been much easier for him if he had followed the route of his Master a few metres in front, who seemed ignorant of respect for the dead.

To the Master, the dead were none of his concern.

What did he care if his footsteps disturbed the inanimate shells that, for a time, had been home to what he called the spores of mankind?

Normal people.

Unaware of the greatness around them if it was not so named; King, Queen or Araman.

They were six and a half feet under and that is where they would remain until further notice.

The extra half a foot was traditional to the people of Namare. Short wooden spikes and a layer of pebbles were pushed into the soil; to prevent the evil part of a spirit trying to escape once the good had left the body.

Superstitious bastards. The Master thought whilst kicking a smooth white pebble through the dying winter grass.

It made a pathetic sound when it hit the next grave but broke through the tense silence enough to make his servant, who was trailing behind, freeze and peer through the deserted cemetery.

After a moment’s thought about what kind of person you would have to be to wander around a graveyard in the dead of night, the servant realised that this was the type of person he was and reflected on the fact that you could be a creature, not a man.

He shook off the sinister feeling that accompanied these thoughts and came to the conclusion that he would rather be dead than up against the tall individual he had been struggling to keep up with.

Fog from the slight frost seemed to pull at his Master’s feet like the fingers of death themselves.

Not every evil spirit was kept at bay by simple superstitions.

I thought warlocks couldn’t step on hallowed ground? The smaller of the two grave wanderers said in a high pitched voice, once he had caught up with the taller man.

For the last time, I am not a warlock. The Master replied in a deep and intolerant tone, without turning or stopping.

Right, yes, sorry. I forgot. The small one slowed to place a little more distance between him and his portentous Master.

And a Sinner has more right than most as to where he walks. The Master’s voice was full of self importance. But what I am is not what you should concern yourself with. It is what I will become that you should remember.

He stopped suddenly, in front of the unadorned wooden shack that lay on the outskirts of the graveyard.

And believe me, everyone will. The Master finished in a quieter voice so that the small man didn’t hear.

Turning abruptly and catching his quivering servant off guard, who fell on his plump arse over one of the lesser graves, the Sinner bent down towards him and said in a stern tone, like someone addressing a child.

"Just do not forget what I told you earlier. You are to touch nothing once we are inside. It is of the gravest importance to your person." He straightened up again and turned his back on the little man, smiling to himself as he continued.

No one is going to hold me responsible if you disobey. Only the dead are watching tonight, Welver. He started walking away.

Welver picked himself up from the wet ground and turned away from his Master, leaning against the grave he had fallen over.

He had had enough of respecting the dead for one night.

Listening to the footsteps of the Sinner walking away he sat in silence, as previously instructed, and studied the mute stones in their many shapes, each one as unique as the person buried below.

Two of the graves had fallen towards each other like lovers in another life, their mossy coats wrapping them together and holding them close and secure in the cradling shadows.

Welver had never thought he would find himself here, surrounded by the deceased in the middle of the night, in the cold of winter as he was now.

If his intelligence had stretched as far as being able to imagine things other than the situations other people put him in, he probably would have wanted to be sat at home in a large chair with his son asleep in front of the fire, next to the puppy they had bought from the neighbouring farm.

His wife would bring him a hot mug of milk and slice of honeyed meat after a hard day spent tending the animals and many varied crops. Then, before carrying his sleeping boy to bed and retiring to his own room, he would talk to his wife about what he planned to do tomorrow.

But, Welver was simpler than most people.

The only ambitions he had were the ones of the person he was serving at the time, which was currently the Sinner, who motioned for Welver to follow him inside the rotting shack.

The building seemed to feign insignificance, but once inside Welver knew it was anything but. The well kept wooden walls were lined with shelves that held treasures not meant for a simple grave keepers hut. There were also weapons of every kind within easy reach to anyone who was not inconveniently small, like Welver himself.

He tried to follow his Master through a curtain to another room at the back of the shack but the Sinner turned on him again, his stern eyes almost the colour of his black hair in the dim candlelight coming from the room.

You go no further and listen not to what we speak of, understand? The Sinner warned and half smiled when Welver nodded obediently.

Once his Master was behind the curtain, Welver sat at the other end of the shack near the door and tried not to think of the darkness around him. There were many shadows in this entrance room and he hated spiders more than he hated the cold.

Welver absently fiddled with the button of his heavy black coat, identical to the one the Sinner was wearing. Unfortunately for Welver these long coats only came in one size... long; the dimension that his body lacked the most.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the curtain shift as someone in the room moved past it. The gap it made revealed a blazing fire on the far wall, warm and inviting; unlike the cold floor he was sat on now. If only he could get a little closer, he would be warmer and no one would notice him there.

Following his single-minded thoughts, he started to crawl towards the doorway, feeling warmer with each silent shuffle forward. When he reached it, he slumped against the frame of the door and rested his head again.

...and I can trust you will not be late? Welver couldn’t help hearing his Master say, now that he was so close to the room.

The question of trust should be comin’ from me. The poison I gave ye can be traced to one place only and I don’t like the thought of both Verxia and Attashar set against me. Welver did not recognise this second voice, thick with an unknown accent and twisted his body to see who spoke to his Master so harshly.

Baynil is nothing; you could have taken him years ago. The Master replied indifferently. And once your army is in the castle walls, the size of King Dagerten’s forces will be dwarfed by it.

Then what do I need ye fer?

Welver could just see the legs of the man who spoke, he was sitting across from the Sinner, but his face was still concealed by the curtain.

"This alliance is fast approaching between them, and then you will fail. Without me there to prevent it, they will strengthen both their kingdoms and may turn their attention to yours regardless."

Welver held back the urge to stand and see the man who had authority over the meeting. Eventually his curiosity took charge and he stood up as quietly as he could.

What harm could one peek do?

"And yer prize in this is enough for ya? An insignificant gal?"

She holds enough significance for me and that is all you need to know.

The other man laughed loudly making Welver flinch and he hoped no one had seen the curtain move. The two men stood before he could see who his Master was talking to.

Then, we conclude our business. The mystery man said, sounding in good spirits.

Indeed.

Thud.

Rolling his eyes in despair at the sound of an unconscious Welver hitting the floor, from where one of the guardsmen had knocked him out, the Sinner wrapped his black cloak around his thin body and made to leave the company of Lord Lishini of Namare.  

Their agreement was complete, and Verxia set to fall.

Chapter 1

The small, young female washed her hands in the pool of icy water she had dug out earlier that day. Raliena had arrived in Attashar sooner than she had expected. Avoiding the main roads to the Kingdom meant that she had been able to travel directly to Attashar, cutting a good quarter off the journey.

Now, she was forced to wait in this secluded part of the woods until sunrise, when it would be easier to enter Attashar castle unnoticed and disguised as a servant.

A well groomed, strong brown horse stuck its head next to hers curiously then wedged his large muzzle into the pool and lapped up the remaining water.

Raliena tusked and patted the horse on the neck, who breathed out heavily in answer before walking back to where Raliena had set down the saddle and bags.

A cold breeze rushed past her still body as Raliena thought carefully about what she had come to Attashar to do.

Only a month ago she had been named Araman.

This had made it very difficult for her to get out of Verxia, the Kingdom where she lived, without being noticed.

Araman were as important as the King himself, if not more, due to the spiritual sensitivity that surrounded them. It was an honour if King Baynil of Verxia saw you fit to become one; a fact that had made it impossible for Raliena to refuse the post.

It was one of Verxia’s oldest traditions. Every new knight to the King’s court was expected to slay a Unicorn and take its horn as a trophy.

Araman acted as the bait, they accompanied the new knights to Canah forest, where Unicorns were known to live. These seemingly intelligent creatures were drawn to their death by ‘pure’ maidens and unnecessarily slaughtered for their horns.

A simple trinket brought by the death of something so pure and beautiful.

Raliena was against the tradition; which is why she still couldn’t explain why she had travelled all the way to Attashar to save the very man who was to perform the deed in less than a month.

Drying her hands on her dress and running them through her long curled hair, Raliena also breathed out heavily and joined Fahge under a canopy of leaves; to keep out the sharp winter breeze.

She had been riding hard for three days to get to Attashar and both horse and rider were exhausted.

Fahge collapsed his heavy body against the trunk of a large oak and settled his head on the grass, keeping his big brown eyes focused on Raliena and the bag she was rummaging through.

The General Kassen of Attashar was to be Raliena’s first call of duty in an attempt to join the two kingdoms - Verxia and Attashar – together in an alliance. The Knighting ceremony was to be a show of good will before the formal treaty. Attashar did not share in the same tradition and Unicorns had not been found to travel as far North as the Kingdom.

Rumours had quickly spread across the villages and towns that King Baynil wished to name the General his heir to Verxia, once the alliance was settled. Not having any sons, since the Queen and her child had both died during the birth, left the King without a successor and the General was said to be close to the royal family in Attashar.

So news of an illness striking the General, only weeks before the alliance was to be made, had put both kingdoms under strain as each were eager to finalise the treaty between them.

However, they had decided to wait until General Kassen was better, as King Dagerten of Attashar would not send another envoy to Verxia to complete the accord; which is how Raliena had found herself racing to Attashar.

Setting them close to her horse for warmth, Raliena pulled out her blankets and wrapped herself in the woollen covers.

Leaning against Fahge’s heated body, the Araman stared up at the peeking eyes of the stars through the leaves of winter, thinking.

It had taken her all but thirty seconds to take Fahge, her favourite horse, from the castle stables and ride in secret to the General’s aide.

A messenger from Attashar had come to retrieve the Verxian healer and King Baynil had insisted upon them leaving that night.

The General Kassen’s condition has gotten worse. The messenger had said in the confines of the King’s study. We fear for his life and beg for assistance, your highness.

Raliena had been present at the time, as the messenger had interrupted the meal she had been sharing with the King and his close associates.

Of course, we must waste no time. King Baynil announced and had waved for a servant to fetch the Lady Nanerter, the King’s personal healer. Baynil was not about to give up his only chance to join the kingdoms.

Sir, perhaps I should accompany them also? Raliena offered as the King paced in front of the fireplace. It would show that we are keen for this alliance to proceed.

The King nodded thoughtfully, his short beard twitching as his bit the inside of his cheek. A habit brought on by nerves.

What Raliena had said was true, but it had also been a way to travel to Attashar and assist the General herself. Raliena was privy to many of the happenings in the Kingdom, not just from being included in the King’s meetings, but also from listening to the servants talk, and the illness that ailed the General was far from benign.

None of the other healers King Dagerten had sent for had been able to heal the General and his strength was failing. Raliena doubted Nanerter’s knowledge could assist anymore than theirs could and the Kingdom could not afford to wait for this alliance. Especially with Lord Lishini from the West threatening their territories, raiding and destroying outer villages and towns.

The General had to be healed swiftly and the easiest way for Raliena to do that, without the knowledge of others, was to travel to Attashar also.

I do not think that will be necessary. The King’s adviser had said. The very act of sending our best healer is ardent enough.

Raliena had struggled keeping her composure. The King’s advisor always sought to overthrow her opinions. Whether for personal gain or simply to smite her, she knew not.

It would have been easier to tolerate if the King did not always follow his advice over any other. And this had been no exception.

So, she had waited a day and then made an excuse to be away from people for a week and headed to Attashar after the healer.

Raliena sighed and settled under her blankets, using her arm as a pillow. She would need all her strength to attempt healing General Kassen and she first had to enter the castle without being seen by anyone of import as she was sure to meet them again, once the alliance was settled. Having to explain her presence at Attashar during the General’s illness would be difficult; more so if she could not save him. She risked being blamed for his death but it was a risk Raliena had to take if she wanted peace.

Finally, she fell asleep and began to dream of a memory long ago that was soon to be her future.

A YOUNG GIRL HUGGED against the tree she was hiding behind. It made her feel safe, and from here the girl could clearly see the dark haired woman in the open space before her, sitting on a large moss covered log with her hands in her lap and eyes closed.

The dark haired woman was in contrast to the small girl who waited just as patiently, watching the trees behind the woman. The girl had blonde hair which came in swift curls down her straight back, and a round curious face. Her eyes were as blue as the sky was that day, peeking through the leaves of summer as if also peering into the forest below.

The girl had heard about how honourable it was to be an Araman and catch a Unicorn with a knight of Verxia, as this woman was doing now.

Not much detail had been given to the small child about what would happen after the Unicorn was paralyzed by the Araman’s touch. They had thought it would be inappropriate for her to know at such a young age.

The royal adviser, Dergen, had disagreed. He had insisted upon taking the girl to see a Unicorn hunt personally. The King refused at first, but slowly wavered as he always did under his advisors dominating presence.

The advisor was only young but had learnt well from his father before him how to manipulate people; including the nobility of Fardonmeria, the name of the four great kingdoms of the land. One of which, the young girl had heard, had been lost many years ago, although its castle by the sea still stood tall, if you could find where it was hidden.

Suddenly, anticipation tightened the girl’s stomach when she saw something silver moving closer in the trees. The woman had sensed it too and she opened her dark eyes but did not turn to look. Then, slowly out from the trees, came a Unicorn.

The girl suppressed a gasp of surprise at how magnificent the animal was. It was pure white, sleek and agile in the way it walked towards the Araman, who sat as still as a statue on the log.

The creature did not hesitate to lay its beautiful head in the woman’s lap. She stroked its glossy silk mane, but did not look in its eyes. She was looking up at the knight, waiting silently in the tree above for her signal.

The concealed girl would have seen him too if she hadn’t been so engrossed in the mysterious animal before her. She yearned to stroke it, to feel close to what seemed like nature itself. Life itself...

She felt herself shuffle closer and didn’t prevent the slow advance forward... until it happened.

She saw from her half obscured position the Araman’s delicate hands move slowly from the Unicorn’s mane, to its almost glowing horn, blue and glittering. Then both the woman’s hands were wrapped around it tightly.

The creature stiffened and became paralyzed by the Araman’s touch. Only then did the woman’s dark eyes meet the Unicorn’s. But it wasn’t looking at her. It was staring at the girl, now paused a few steps into the clearing, who watched in horror as a silver tear fell down the Unicorn’s cheek to the soft ground.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, appeared the knight next to the two figures. Brandishing his sword, the handsome man walked closer and brought down the silver blade in a majestic swing. This time the girl did gasp, but she was not heard over the smash of breaking glass which echoed around the forest.

But it wasn’t glass that was broken. It was the sound the Unicorn horn had made when the man’s sword smashed it from its core. Though the sound was deceiving, for the horn did not appear cracked when the young girl saw it as both knight and Araman passed her when the deed was done.

She saw the knight hold up the undamaged horn in victory, then lift the Araman into his muscular arms and they kissed passionately as they walked back to camp. The girl, unnoticed by both of them, took a step into the clearing towards where the abandoned Unicorn body lay.

It was still as magnificent in death as it had been in life. She was definitely too young to see such a thing.

Not hearing the approaching footsteps behind her, the girl did not turn. Instead, she continued to stare at the Unicorn. Lifeless and hornless. Silently she decided a disgraceful deed had taken place here.

One she did not intend to repeat.

The footsteps that had been approaching behind her stopped. She became aware of someone stood beside her. A strong hand fell on her shoulder.

You are to be part of this, Raliena. A voice said in her ear as the hand squeezed her slightly. She looked up at the young man stood with her. It was Dergen.

He was too close for comfort as usual and had a sleek charm about him that unnerved the young girl. Dergen was older than Raliena, but her approaching coming of age meant the consultant's intentions towards the girl, was often warily whispered amongst the castle staff.

It is an honour and your duty. You were born into it. And you will relish it.

He walked away after these words, laughing to himself, leaving Raliena to her haunted thoughts. After a moment, once he had gone, she walked closer to the Unicorn. Tears ran down her cheeks.

Falling on her knees in front of it, Raliena stroked its silky mane with shaking hands. Tearing a piece from her underskirt, she cleaned the silver wound around the Unicorns head. The place where the horn had been was now an open gash, as if it had been ripped from the creature, like a tree ripped from its roots.

Blood seeped through the cloth onto her hands but she got the lesion clean. She discarded the silver blood stained cloth and laid her tear wet cheek on the Unicorn’s hornless