The Circle of My Sovereignty: The Rosteval Saga, #5

By Michael R. Schultheiss

An impossible quest…
A victorious enemy…
Who will be the sacrifice?

 

Caught between warring gods and Shapers, Rosteval has little choice: he must undertake an impossible quest on an alien world occupied by his foes. 

 

Together with Cat-Eye Touhai and an erstwhile adversary, Rosteval must brave the dark lair of an enemy who has already defeated their god.

 

As tragedy strikes all around them, Rosteval, Ghaitta, Cat-Eye Touhai, and their people must confront an enemy mastermind and a terrifying question: who will be the sacrifice for their people's survival?

 

Impossible quests, a multitude of foes, and the machinations of a mastermind force Rosteval to confront terrible dilemmas and take incredible risks in The Circle of My Sovereignty, sequel to The Shadow of My Vision. Get it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael R. Schultheiss
• Release date: Aug 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798988911326

Book preview

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DEDICATION

To Jack Donovan, for lighting a fire in the dark.

Copyright ©(2023) by Michael R. Schultheiss.

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Published by Lyamgallal Press LLC.

Cover designed by MiblArt.

Contents

List of Characters

The Series So Far

Maps

Author's Preliminary Note

1.The Tale of Tudalvas

2.Yalaitha’s Tale

3.Dialogue V: Sense of Mind

4.The Dream Hunters

5.A Slave to Ivistuli

6.Twenty Years Since Sepparna

7.The Power of Stories

8.Tidings of Woe

9.By Sky-Boat to Avaurti

10.Shadows in the Cavern

11.The Bonds of Duty

12.The Weight of Expectation

13.Dialogue VI: The Purpose of Godhood

14.The Freedom of Kings

15.Not a Threat, But a Promise

16.The Kwellon

17.Memories of the Mantled One

18.Return to the Gontugap

19.Clash of Command

20.Gods and Zolokaith

21.Toward the Sentinels

22.Queen of the Dark Mysteries

23.Dialogue VII: A Bargain in the Depths

24.Lashvugallal

25.The Advocate

26.The Trial of Rosteval

27.Movements of the Soul

28.The Tower and the Well

29.The Exaltation of Quonjastra

30.Shadow for Light

31.A Word With Soltapyral

32.Descent and Desire

33.Ebrokhun’s Secret

34.The Dream and the Awakening

35.A Unity of Four

36.The Way of Gods

37.A Thousand Deaths and More

38.Knot and Shadow

39.A Mantle and a Mission

40.A Question of Sacrifice

41.Oaths and Ultimatums

42.The Word of Jinsohaila

43.Orlatau’s Advance

44.The God Who Loved

45.A Well for a World

46.Master of the Spiral Seat

47.The Fire and the Shadow

48.Iron of the Soul

49.Three Gifts

Author's Note

The Adventure Begins...

Contact the Author

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List of Characters

Apshendarin: a Bright Zayastu of the Dyuza of Camraj-Kitta, allied with Rosteval.

Atazupar (called Ogre-Bane): a lord among the Ponteppatra, originally of the Isarpaday Tamnoolra. Son of Zanzupar the Glorious.

Aurvedan: son of Hamarvan, king of the Ketaryatra, and Hamarvan’s wife Farsiva. Grandson of Haldua.

Bardamal (Little Bardamal): a cousin of Rosteval’s, named after Bardamal the Elder, their great-grandfather.

Cat-Eye Naiyubet: an Eastern Lohiman nobleman, now deceased, who trained Ponteppesh as his apprentice.

Cat-Eye Pon (Ponteppesh): a Pellakesh warrior, holy man, and slave trader who mentored Rosteval and chose Cat-Eye Touhai to be his heir. Currently the ascended Rishva-god of the Ponteppatra, the People of Cat-Eye Pon.

Cat-Eye Touhai: priestess of the cult of Cat-Eye Pon, possessor of the Cat-Eye, and a key personage among the Ponteppatra. She was originally a young Fargand woman named Jaiyagan, who was enslaved by Cat-Eye Pon and chosen to be the heir to his power and the mother of his last child, a son named Tollibek.

Daryubal: a cousin of Rosteval’s, married to Shayasda.

Dejati: see Yalaitha.

Diyus (of the Depths): a Rishvant, Wielder of the Mantle of the Pale Lady; known as the Queen of the Dark Mysteries.

Ebrokhun: a mysterious man associated with the dream-hunter cult.

Etruvaltan: a prince of the Fargandra, has established himself with a war-band in the lands south of the Sebaiya Desert. Married to Lady Toqual, allied with Taskouros of Poraungha and Majakuru the Red Lion.

Ghaitta: Rosteval’s wife and queen of the Ponteppatra, Ghaitta originally hailed from the Itorovoya, a tribe in the Diyalla-land. She was a slave of Zanzupar the Glorious, the great Isarpaday Tamnool chieftain, until he died and his son Kurjayak sold her to Cat-Eye Pon, who in turn prepared her for Rosteval.

Haldua: a Rishvant or Returning Immortal who has variously fought against Rosteval and Ghaitta and allied with them in turn, Haldua is loyal to Hamarvan. He is also the father of Hamarvan’s wife Farsiva, and thus the grandfather of their son, Aurvedan. Currently the Wielder of the Silent Horn.

Hamarvan: king of the Ketaryatra, a formidable conqueror who has prevailed against a series of foes. He is also the grandfather of Rosteval.

Idlun: a cousin of Cat-Eye Pon.

Javairyu: paramour of Parsetya, son of Shalparyon the Elder and brother of Shalparyon the Younger and Sestanyul.

Jinsohaila: four-armed golden god, champion of Upparnod.

Kanavitar: a Bright Zayastu of the Dyuza of Camraj-Kitta, allied with Rosteval.

Kartash: originally of the Fargand Southern Army, now a commander among the Ponteppatra. Sympathetic to the Veyadians, Kartash has married a daughter of Vindotras of the Kelotzina.

Karyava: Rosteval’s mother; daughter of Hamarvan by a Jala-Luwahi wife.

Kurjayak: a powerful lord among the Ponteppatra, originally of the Isarpaday Tamnoolra. Husband of Lupraxa, son of Zanzupar the Glorious; also related to Cat-Eye Pon.

Lupraxa: a noblewoman among the Ponteppatra, originally of the Fargandra, wife of Kurjayak.

Majakuru (the Red Lion): a powerful lord among the Isarpaday Tamnoolra, the main chieftain of that people to still offer resistance to Rosteval. Allied with Etruvaltan and Taskouros.

Maralitu: a Bright Zayastu of the Dyuza of Camraj-Kitta, allied with Rosteval.

Mulkavorn: a mysterious god-like being who presides over the dream-hunter cult.

Naiyubet: see Cat-Eye Naiyubet.

Orlatau: a Kaitaug of the Gontuganti, has successfully arranged for rebirth for herself and her people through the power of Quonjastra.

Parsetya: loyal to Rosteval and the Ponteppatra; Wielder of the Mantle of the Moon. She is the daughter of Hamarvan by a Jala-Luwahi slave-woman, and the sister of Varsellak.

Quonjastra: unstable goddess who styles herself the ‘Mother of Exiles.’ Under the joint custody and supervision of Orlatau and Haldua.

Ravardu: Rosteval’s uncle; has defected from Hamarvan to Rosteval. He is the full brother of Rosteval’s mother, Karyava, and a son of Hamarvan.

Sahulon: a Rigabara-land slave-girl owned by Rosteval who serves as his head slave-girl, masseuse, and bed-mate. Rosteval acquired her from a bath-house in Bulwandi.

Shayasda: a lady among the Ponteppatra, wife of Daryubal, former slave-girl from the Satuvas-land in the Eastern Lohiman Kingdom.

Sestanyul: a Bladed Sister of the Daughters of Mahvos, also sister of Javairyu and Shalparyon the Younger, daughter of Shalparyon the Elder. Former instructor of Parsetya.

Shentora: a Bright Zayastu of the Dyuza of Camraj-Kitta, allied with Rosteval.

Soltapyral: a Rishvant, known for his desire to end all conflict and opposition by immuring mankind in pleasurable conjurations as well as for weaving the Great Knot.

Taromede: a lord among the Ponteppatra, cousin of Rosteval, known for his musical ability and songs.

Taskouros: lord of Poraungha, styles himself king.

Tollibek: two-year-old son of Cat-Eye Touhai and Cat-Eye Pon.

Toqual: Veyadian noblewoman of House Kelotzina, currently married to Etruvaltan; formerly one of the wives of Janthur, king of Bulwandi. Full sister of Vindotras.

Upparnod: the wheel-form god represented by Jinsohaila.

Varsellak: leader of a faction of the Ashvasadra; defected from Hamarvan to Rosteval. Brother of Parsetya.

Vindotras: a lord among the Ponteppatra, originally a Veyadian nobleman of House Kelotzina; formerly king of Camraj-Kitta.

Yalaitha: a slave-girl of Seska Tamnool heritage, currently owned by Tudalvas. Formerly known as Dejati, she was made a sahaudas by one of her previous owners, Cat-Eye Pon.

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The Series So Far

Summary of Book 1 of The Rosteval Saga, The Altar of My Fate:

Yearning for glory and adventure, Rosteval assembles a war-party and allies with the warrior and holy man Cat-Eye Pon—an alliance that also brings him Ghaitta, a beautiful slave-girl who provides him with access to the dream-world.

After a series of battles with the Fargandra, the two lead their forces across the Sebaiya Desert, recruit more allies, and begin to conquer the southern lands. Rosteval and his slave-girl Ghaitta work toward bonding a white Rishva-shade, but their efforts draw the hostile attention of the Rishvant Haldua even as they face the threat of an army sent by Rosteval’s grandfather Hamarvan.

Aided by the Bright Zayastura, Rosteval and Cat-Eye Pon travel north of the Sebaiya to convince their former Fargand enemies to aid them. Cat-Eye Pon’s Fargand slave-girl Touhai stabs him to death and inherits his power before revealing that she was acting on his own orders.

After bonding the white Rishva-shade with Ghaitta’s help, Rosteval is ready to confront the army his grandfather has sent. Rosteval springs a surprise attack on the enemy army, and with the white Rishva-shade and the timely intervention of the Fargandra, scores a victory.

In the aftermath of the battle, Rosteval frees Ghaitta, and subsequently ennobles and marries her.

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Summary of Book 2 of The Rosteval Saga, The Spiral of My Destiny:

Rosteval and Ghaitta face a new threat when they discover Soltapyral, a Rishvant, has returned and is controlling their Ketaryat enemies. Ghaitta’s own abilities have put her at risk, and they must ally with their enemy Haldua and the haughty Daivomandians.

Fearing that Soltapyral will convince the Ketaryatra to make peace with their enemies in the east, Rosteval plans an invasion of Orestamar through the Jendoba-land to shore up the position of Hamarvan’s eastern enemy.

Rosteval leads his forces into Orestamar, even as Soltapyral tries to turn all the land and their own slaves against them. Meanwhile, Rosteval, Ghaitta, Cat-Eye Touhai, and Haldua attempt to learn how to bond the Cat-Eye Pon Rishva-shade, leading to conflict with the Daivomandians.

Fleeing from the approach of a Ketaryat army led by Soltapyral, Rosteval still manages to inflict a defeat on it, buying time to put together a defense of the Western Lohiman Kingdom.

In the final battle, Rosteval, Ghaitta, and Cat-Eye Touhai complete the bonding of Cat-Eye Pon’s white Rishva-shade and his emanated war-god form and cause Haldua to ascend to godhood as well. They defeat Soltapyral, and Haldua convinces the Ketaryat army to stand down.

After the battle, Rosteval proclaims himself king of a new people, the Ponteppatra—the people of Cat-Eye Pon.

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Summary of Book 3 of The Rosteval Saga, The Third Way of My God:

Disaster looms for Rosteval and his people when Hamarvan sends an army to occupy Tekoro-Athu. Much to everyone’s surprise, a young woman named Parsetya, a daughter of Hamarvan, defects and convinces Rosteval to provide sanctuary for her and her paramour, Javairyu.

Rosteval and Ghaitta lead their people into exile even as Hamarvan and Haldua use the unstable fiery goddess Quonjastra to wage war against the Gontuganti, a menacing race of Shapers who are bent on conquering the world. Parsetya has a weapon called the Mantle of the Moon that may aid them, but they will need the rest of the Eight Wondrous Wields to win victory.

After contacting a mysterious figure called the Mantled One, who taught Cat-Eye Pon, Rosteval, Ghaitta, Parsetya, Javairyu, and Haldua voyage to the Gontugant city of Yuhoxai on the Gontugap, the dark cosmic ocean. They acquire another Wield, the Silent Horn, but Haldua betrays them and steals it for himself.

With the Mantled One’s help, Rosteval and the others liberate Soltapyral from the Rishvant Hall of Shades and use him as a bargaining chip to strike a deal with Haldua to help them return to Lyamgallal.

They receive another surprise when they discover that Parsetya has been manipulated by Orlatau, a crafty lady Kaitaug among the Gontuganti who wants to work with them in order to transmute herself and her people into a new kind of being. She has a strong hand: in addition to her own substantial military forces, she offers a powerful Wield called the Spear of Woe.

As per the terms of his deal with Haldua, Rosteval leads his forces east to Lyshura to help Hamarvan confront the Gontuganti. But Rosteval betrays Haldua when he, Ghaitta, Parsetya, Javairyu, and Soltapyral travel to the Rishva-altar so that Soltapyral can weave a Great Knot for Javairyu to wield.

Enraged, Haldua attacks them and nearly wipes out their army before Cat-Eye Pon stabs him with the Spear of Woe—but the Gontugant assault forces Rosteval and Haldua to once more work together. With a powerful combination of armies and Wields, Rosteval and his unlikely allies defeat the Gontuganti.

In the aftermath of the battle, Rosteval convinces Hamarvan to relinquish Tekoro-Athu. He leads his people back to their capital, where Parsetya finally tells him and Ghaitta that she is prepared to become a goddess for the Ponteppatra.

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Summary of Book 4 of The Rosteval Saga, The Shadow of My Vision:

A man awakens in a dim-lit cavern with no memory of who he is, and finds himself the captive of a sadistic god who has resurrected him to kill him again. One thing is clear to the man: he is dying for those he loves, including a slave-girl he chose for himself, a wolf-eyed warrior, and another slave-girl, one whom he prepared for the warrior.

For nearly a year, Rosteval has been leading his forces against the seemingly endless hordes of the Gontuganti, and now the Ponteppatra are at the limit of their endurance.

When a four-armed golden god named Jinsohaila arrives from Lashvugallal and seizes control of Quonjastra, Rosteval and his forces face a choice between domination and destruction. If Jinsohaila and Quonjastra succeed in embodying their wheel-form god Upparnod, they will have dominion over Lyamgallal—including Cat-Eye Pon.

On the other hand, the Gontuganti have nearly completed their adaptation to Lyamgallal—and if they succeed, all will be lost.

Meanwhile, the man in the cavern works to reclaim his memories and remember why he is there. But the sadistic god, the Master, has plans and powerful allies, including Soltapyral and Orlatau, the former Kaitaug lady who has made herself mistress of Bright-World, and he sends shadow-figures to stalk the sahaudas in the dream-world.

Even as Rosteval, Ghaitta, and Cat-Eye Touhai try to plot their course, a third danger strikes when shadow-figures attack Ghaitta in the dream-world, nearly killing her. Cat-Eye Pon’s cousin Idlun saves Ghaitta with an aural tether that connects them, unleashing a flood of unwelcome memories regarding his own role in Ghaitta’s sahaudas training when she was still Cat-Eye Pon’s slave-girl.

With their options scarce, Rosteval, Ghaitta, and Cat-Eye Touhai embark on yet another reluctant alliance with Haldua, seeking more of the legendary weapons known as the Wondrous Wields, weapons designed to facilitate the creation of a new pantheon of gods to protect Lyamgallal.

But the Wields require men and women to become immortal Wielders, a transformation that changes them in subtle but profound ways, shaping their minds as well as their auras.

It is this very transformation that Rosteval sees in his own aunt, Parsetya, Wielder of the Mantle of the Moon. For her part, Ghaitta perceives the same change in herself and in Idlun, raising the possibility that she is destined to make the ultimate sacrifice for her people: transcending her mortal existence to become a goddess.

Both Rosteval and Ghaitta hope to avert this fate for her, but they know they need more information. On Ghaitta’s suggestion, the four of them—Rosteval, Ghaitta, Cat-Eye Touhai, and Idlun—have undertaken an intelligence-gathering mission in dream-world, where they have confronted Jinsohaila and learned an unsettling truth: Orlatau, the former Kaitaug lady who rules in Bright-World, has created a terrifying weapon of fiery power beneath the Rishva-altar.

Despite the foes and obstacles arrayed against him, Rosteval rejects Jinsohaila’s request to subordinate Cat-Eye Pon. Instead, he will trust Cat-Eye Pon’s vision and continue to seek glory and a path to victory.

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Maps

The Ketaryat Realm

The Ketaryat Realm

The Sebaiya and Lohiman Kingdoms

The Sebaiya and Lohiman Kingdoms

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Author's Preliminary Note

The Circle of My Sovereignty , book 5 of The Rosteval Saga, is the second part of a story arc that began with book 4, The Shadow of My Vision .

Presenting the whole story in one volume would have required changing the formatting, and the author decided to use two volumes in order to keep the formatting consistent with previous installments of The Rosteval Saga.

As with the previous volume, dear reader, it is the author’s hope that you will enjoy this second volume.

1

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The Tale of Tudalvas

Istood on the glass surface of the Rishva-altar, my mind still absorbing my decision to rebuff the golden god who had offered to save my world. He was still in the great glass dome before us, the dome that towered over the four smaller domes arrayed around it.

My name is Rosteval, son of Bosvadal, king of the Ponteppatra, and on that night my wife, Ghaitta, and I had ventured into the world of dreams along with two of our companions.

Our purpose had been to spy on some of our many enemies, shadow-figures who had attacked Ghaitta not long ago.

We had encountered the god Jinsohaila, who had come to our world from another with an offer to deliver us from the peril of the Gontuganti, a violent race of Shapers. But the offer had come with a price: the demand to subordinate Cat-Eye Pon our god to him.

Ghaitta, my darling, I said, turning to my wife. You mentioned another sahaudas being present in one of the other domes.

She brightened. Yes, husband, that one, she said, pointing behind me. And oh, this is incredible!

What is it, my darling? I said.

Her eyes went wide with surprise. I am receiving a communication from one of the other domes of the Rishva-altar—oh, I know her voice! She’s another one of the slave-girls Cat-Eye Pon trained as sahaudasra!

I had to suppress a laugh. This was turning into an interesting night.

Then we must go investigate, I said. I looked to Cat-Eye Touhai, priestess of Cat-Eye Pon our god. How many people are in that dome?

Cat-Eye Touhai looked toward the dome. Her left eye was covered by an eye-patch, but the reason for this was that it was a gyre-eye, blazing with fiery orange and with a white gyre-form in place of a pupil and iris.

There are two people in the dome, she said. A man, and a woman.

The gyre-eye was Cat-Eye Touhai’s inheritance from Cat-Eye Pon our god. When he was still only a man—my mentor—he had captured and enslaved her before training her to be his heir and commanding her to kill him. She had obeyed, and had inherited his powers as he had intended.

Cat-Eye Pon had lived on as a Rishva-shade, and we had ultimately helped him to ascend to the status of a Rishva-god.

Cat-Eye Pon’s cousin Idlun was there with us as well, and the reasons for that were if anything even more complex. Idlun had helped Cat-Eye Pon to prepare Ghaitta to be my sahaudas, the instrument by which I could enter the dream-world—a process that had required a great deal of sexual intercourse.

When Ghaitta had been assaulted by shadowy figures in the dream-world, Idlun had saved her by attaching an aural tendril that now bound them. We were still trying to figure out how to remove the tendril without removing Ghaitta’s powers—the trouble was that Cat-Eye Pon had modified Idlun’s memories, just as he had modified Ghaitta’s and even his own.

If there are two people, they are likely to pose little threat, I said. So then, let us not delay.

It was the work of a moment to apply my will, and I felt Ghaitta, Cat-Eye Touhai, and Idlun applying theirs as well.

A blur, a sensation of motion, and we stood inside a circular room with glowing walls, a room occupied by a man in a tunic and trousers, and a slave-girl wearing a short kilt and an assortment of jewelry.

The man smiled and raised his hands to show they were empty, though I saw a sword belted at his side. Greetings and well-met, he said, and somewhat to my surprise, the language he addressed me in was Orestamarian. You must be King Rosteval.

You name me correctly, I said, gesturing with my own hands, open-palmed to show that I had no intention of drawing a weapon. But you have me at a disadvantage, for I know not your name, nor your people.

He sketched me a bow. My name is Tudalvas, of the Daniparsus clan, and I reside in Sibonni. I recall well the occasion on which you traveled through my city, though I did not have the opportunity to meet or speak with you.

Tudalvas, it is an honor to meet you, I said. Sibonni is truly a city of marvels.

I nodded toward his slave-girl, and even as my eyes fell on her, I realized she looked vaguely familiar. Her face was quite lovely, with wide cheekbones, and she had the large, dark eyes I had come to associate with many peoples of the Duribaya and Veyadi-lands. She wore a few gold bracelets and arm-rings, a necklace with a green gemstone that nestled between her bare breasts, and a white linen kilt wrapped around her hips and upper thighs.

How is it that you have come here, in the dream-world, to meet with us?

He smiled and gestured to the slave-girl. My slave-girl, Yalaitha, she was trained by Cat-Eye Pon. I understand he trained your wife as well. And the answer to your question, my lord, is that we are investigating the dream-world and trying to hide from our foes… but that in itself is rather a long story. Would you consent to allow me the time to tell it?

A generous offer, my lord, I said aloud, staring him down, looking for any hint of blandishment, threat, or insincerity. I saw none, but he could be a skilled bluffer. We will be glad to accept.

What did he want in exchange for his information? I did not know, but I was certain we would soon find out.

Tudalvas beckoned to the couch-like seats. If you would be so kind as to join us.

I shrugged and sat down, occupying a couch to the right of the one that he took. Ghaitta sat on my right, and Cat-Eye Touhai sat on her right, with Idlun on the farthest right.

There was a blur around us, and the inside of the Rishva-dome blinked away, becoming walls of marble.

A thrill of excitement ran through me as I realized we were in a beautiful courtyard. An assortment of decorative shrubs, ferns, and climbing vines grew from boxes with soil. There was a pool before us with many water plants, and I could see carp moving about in the waters.

This is a remarkable manifestation, I said. What is this place?

Tudalvas smiled and bowed. It is my home, or rather, a manifestation that I have created. He patted his slave-girl’s bare shoulders. With the aid of my Yalaitha, of course.

She smiled and lowered her eyes. And all of a sudden, I recognized her: the wide cheekbones, large, dark eyes… she was the slave-girl Cat-Eye Pon had offered me the first night after I had lain with Ghaitta.

This is a marvel, truly, I said.

He looked very proud. It is all a manifestation of our real courtyard back in Sibonni. Would you care for food and drink?

The slave-girl, Yalaitha, stood up and looked to her owner.

That would be most welcome, I said. And we thank you for your hospitality, though I will confess that I am eager to hear your purpose. I know your slave-girl was trained as a sahaudas by Cat-Eye Pon, and you two possess the mental language.

Tudalvas nodded to Yalaitha. The arak, girl, and some dates, figs, whatever we have on hand.

Yalaitha nodded and exited through a nearby doorway. Did they have their entire house in the dream-world?

Tudalvas looked to me. "It is actually quite difficult to stock a dream-world larder beyond what one has in the real world.

"But to answer your question, King Rosteval, we have been looking for you—and the reason is that we have been attacked in the dream-world, attacked by beings who strike from the shadows.

We have undertaken many perilous journeys, and have gathered what information we can. There is much that is still not clear to me, but my Yalaitha and I, we have pieced together what we can—and we have had help from others as well.

The other sahaudasra? Ghaitta said, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

The very same, Tudalvas said.

I would very much like to hear you out, Ghaitta said.

I beckoned to him to continue. We are all ears.

Let us take refreshment, Tudalvas said. And I will begin. Ah, here’s my Yalaitha.

Yalaitha returned with a jug, some arak cups, and some baskets. She began to pour arak, offering a cup to her master and then to the rest of us.

Pour a cup for yourself, my girl, Tudalvas said to Yalaitha. Sit with me.

Thank you, master, the slave-girl said, pouring a cup and sitting beside her master. She kissed him on the cheek.

Well then, Tudalvas said, I suppose I had better unfold my tale. It is a story of greed, lust, and folly, and I am the greedy, lustful fool who lived it.

He put his arm around Yalaitha. In a way, this story starts the day I bought my girl here at auction. I did not believe her when she told me that lying with her would open the gateway to a world of dark and terrible dreams—and this was despite the fact that I had a great deal of experience with the dream-world by then.

He gave her shoulder a fond squeeze. I thought she was trying to get out of her duty to her master.

Yalaitha flushed.

But any story worth telling is worth telling from the start, and so that is where I will begin.

By all means, I said. Among the tribe of my birth, the Barduvatra, great stories are prized, and no story-teller would ever fail to tell a tale from the beginning.

His smile flashed white teeth. "Very good! I will begin, then, at the beginning.

"My name is Tudalvas of the Daniparsus clan, and I am told it is a family name: an ancestor from centuries past, when the people who became the Jala-Luwahra emerged from the forests and fields of Svayomar-land and advanced into Orestamar-land to take over the decaying cities and palaces of the Hurranians.

"Whatever the case, an august name was the only inheritance I could expect, growing up as the eighth son of a Ladjut warrior-merchant based out of Sibonni.

"My father’s people are the Ladjutra, and we still regale each other with the songs and sagas of our Jala-Luwahi ancestors who came south from Orestamar into the Jendoba-land. Warriors with horse-drawn chariots, they imposed themselves on these lands and found brides among the Dajautra and others.

"My mother was a concubine, born to one of the Satuvas-land tribes and sold north. My father purchased her in Sibonni. I saw very little of her growing up: from the time I could walk, I fought to earn my place among the boys.

"Competition reigned supreme among my brothers, sons of my father: we all had to best each other at horse-riding, archery, swordsmanship, and knowledge of the merchant trade.

"My father was one of a number of traders who plied the routes between Sibonni, where he was based, and Tabaryast. He and his fellows purchased war-horses in our city, and indeed, much of my training regarding the merchant trade concerned the choosing of fine war-horses: how to inspect them, what questions to ask, and how to find reliable trading partners.

"Most of the merchants who brought horses to Sibonni were Jala-Luwahra, and most of them bought Ketaryat-trained war-horses in Orestamar-land and drove them south, through Mylimar to Sibonni. I learned to differentiate these men from the less reputable traders, who would purchase less suitable horses—even horses that were too old, or lamed, or not trained for war—and attempt to pass them off.

"By the time I was a man grown, then, it was clear to me that I would have to make my way in the world. And so I sought work wherever I could find it.

"A trained warrior and horseman, I found employment helping other merchants guard their caravans as they made their way across the long, dusty trail between Sibonni and Tabaryast, and back again.

"I soon found that the northward trade in slaves provided particularly profitable employment: the merchants were eager to hire a great number of guards to protect their lots from raids by the fierce and savage Mountain Dajautra, who descended from the fastnesses of the Paradtha to steal slaves and whatever else they could lay hands on.

"This problem was all the more acute among the merchants who made the longer journey into the Eastern Lohiman Kingdom, purchasing slaves at Chappesh or Rugharna: that part of the country was prime raiding grounds for the raiders from the Paradtha.

"As long as I live, I will never forget the first time I found battle against the Mountain Dajautra. We were two days out of Rugharna, and our caravan had hundreds of prime lots—lovely slave-girls, ready for domestic service and pleasure, and strong youths, ready to toil in the fields or mines.

"The tribesmen ambushed us from within a grove of trees, crying their ululating battle-cries as they sped toward us on their wiry ponies. They wore only leather cuirasses for armor, and their tunics and head coverings were dirty and disheveled, but they came at us with fierce faces, wild eyes, and drawn swords flashing in the sun.

"I drew my bow, grasped three arrows from my quiver, nocked one, sighted, and loosed it at the first warrior to come near me. It was a lucky shot: it took him in the eye, and he toppled from his horse.

"We killed several more before the remainder retreated, and that night my deeds drew applause from the merchant captain, Jayotas, a well-respected veteran of the Rugharna Trail.

"For my reward, he insisted I have the enjoyment of one of his own personal slave-girls, a doe-eyed beauty he had purchased ten years before in Sepparna.

"That night I lay with her, and then voyaged into the dream-world for the first time. I remember a hot sun overhead, very bright, and a great lake, the waters turquoise blue and shimmering with power, emanation mists rising from them. The banks were ringed about by all manner of beautiful trees and flowers.

"The girl removed her kilt and breech-clout, took my hand, and with a glad smile she pulled me toward the lake. I dove in with her, and found the water warm and intoxicating: the moment I touched it, my mind was overcome with pleasurable sensations.

"Deeper the girl beckoned me, and I did not hesitate: I dove down, the water caressing me like a lover as I plunged deeper and deeper.

"I wanted to go deeper still, but my breath could not hold. But the girl approached me, took me in her arms, and put her mouth to mine. I opened my mouth to her, clasped her to me, and, wonder of all wonders, I felt her breath enter me.

And the wonder increased: I saw a glowing light between her breasts, and I looked down and saw a matching light on my chest. A shining tether connected us.

Ghaitta gave a sharp intake of breath.

Tudalvas nodded to her. It has not escaped my slave’s notice that this part of our story connects to your own. And indeed, I will have more to say about it later.

This lake, I said. Do you believe it was somewhere in the waking world?

He gave a wry chuckle. Yes… in a manner of speaking. I believe it is on Lashvugallal.

My mind sparked flint and tinder. Go on, my lord.

Tudalvas drained his cup, and Yalaitha filled it again. "In the company of Jayotas’ slave-girl, I traveled deep into the depths of the lake, and experienced wonders and euphoria that defy description. She breathed for me, and I marveled at it.

"Upon waking, I went to Jayotas and thanked him for the enjoyment of his slave-girl.

"’The wonders she has showed me, they are countless,’ I said. ‘What power resides within her?’

"He looked at me and gave me a knowing look. ‘The power of dreams,’ he said. ‘Say nothing of this to anyone.’

"And he would say no more that day, nor for many days after, no matter how I pressed him.

"My thoughts were consumed with memories of what I had experienced with that slave-girl, and I yearned to go back to that wonderful lake. But I kept his confidence, just as he requested: I breathed not a word of it to anyone.

"At no point did it occur to me to consider whether I had risked anything by voyaging into the world of dreams with a slave-girl who, after all, obviously contained some great and mysterious power. Had I paid some price of which I was not cognizant? It was only later, much later, that the question occurred to me at all.

"The slave-girl herself always greeted me brightly, but month after month passed, and Jayotas did not send her to share my blanket again.

"Two trips later, we were making our way north from Rugharna with yet another fresh caravan of slaves to sell. Our plan was to sell most of the youths at Tabaryast, where one can always get fine prices for youths, and to sell the slave-girls at Sibonni.

"Most of our slave-girls had been purchased from peasant families in the very heart of the Eastern Lohiman Kingdom, and I recall thinking what fine prices they would all fetch at auction in Sibonni.

"One night as we camped by the banks of the River Yab, Jayotas looked at me and said: ’There are powers beyond this world.’

"’Gods?’ I asked him, wondering at his meaning.

"We had been drinking palm-wine—that whole country is superb for it—and everyone was in a fine mood, all the more because we had purchased a quantity of fish and some dolphin meat from a local village.

"Other than the village and a few others like it in the area, we were in a relatively wild place, still a few days from Tabaryast. But how well I remember that the barks of jackals and whoops of hyenas only made our fires seem warmer and more comforting. The River Yab murmured to herself as she lapped sleepily at her banks.

"I recall my spirits were merry. After all, we had another caravan with many fine slave-girls to sell, and slave-youths too, and my mind had been much preoccupied with thoughts of funding my own expeditions.

"And so it was with some surprise that I looked at Jayotas. True, he had been in his cups, as had we all, but his gaze was still clear as he looked at me.

"‘Gods, aye, and a mind, the All-Mind of the Utmost Source.’ He pointed to his slave-girl, the one I had lain with. ‘Girls like her, they’re the pathways. They take us to the Source.’

"’Tell me of this All-Mind and Utmost Source,’ I said.

"’You have experienced a part of it,’ he said, and he gestured again to his slave-girl. ‘My slave, she took you there. What would you give to go back?’

"’Anything,’ I said, the word bolting from my mouth without consideration.

"He grunted, but the glint in his eye told me he was pleased. ‘Power there is in that lake, power to bind the minds of men, power to open them and rummage about for their secrets. Would you grasp at that power?’

"’Yes,’ I said, thinking of nothing but how glad I would be to lie with the slave-girl and return with her to that place. ‘Yes, I would.’

"He looked at me for a long moment, as if weighing the measure of my soul. ‘Had my eye on you for some time now, lad. Tested you with the girl to see if your mind would hold.’

"He paused again, and I realized he was waiting for me to respond.

"’Men’s minds can break from the experience of such wonders?’ I said, hoping that my voice captured the right mixture of interest and query.

"He gave a harsh laugh. ’Aye, sometimes men’s minds break when they lie with a girl who is dream-worked, a sahaudas, an emanation-rebirthing-womb.

"’I’ve had men return from that place ranting and raving, unable to go on, unable to feed themselves. Had to leave their bodies for the vultures and the hyenas.

"’Other times they became obsessed with the girl herself. I’ve had men lie with her who spent weeks begging me for another night with her.’ His face soured. ‘Had a few try to lay hold of her and force her. Left their bodies for the vultures and hyenas too.’

"It was at that moment that I realized Jayotas was a very dangerous man. He had offered me a reward, the gift of a night with his slave-girl, without telling me of her powers, let alone what he would do to me if I proved to handle the revelation poorly.

"At the same time, I respected it: Jayotas was guarding access to an incredible secret, and he was willing to kill to protect it from unworthy men.

"His words told me something else, too: the fact that he was trying to initiate other men into these secrets meant that he had some need, some desire, to share them.

"So I gave him a bold smile. ‘My lord Jayotas,’ I said, ‘I know you to be both a great warrior and a shrewd and capable dealer in slaves.

"’I am honored that you gave me the chance to prove myself by lying with your slave-girl and voyaging to the world of dreams. What would you have of me in return?’

"Jayotas reached out and rapped his knuckles on my head. ‘There’s power in men’s minds, lad, aye, and there’s power in combining minds—not unlike a field of battle. I have gained power and a reputation already, but it is the strong chieftain who attracts the envy of other chieftains.’

"His words made perfect sense. ‘The stronger you are in the world of dreams,’ I said, ‘the more attention you will attract—and some of it will be hostile.’

"He gave me a keen, approving look. ‘Right you are, my lad. So, I say again: what price would you pay?’

"’For this power?’ I said. ‘All. I can think of nothing I would not give, save my honor as a man and a warrior.’

"He gave a laugh and said: ‘Well answered. The price is your soul, my lad, your guarantee of loyalty to me.’

"’I pay it gladly,’ I said, thinking only of my desire to lie with the girl and experience with her the wonders of that world of dreams.

"His eyes were shrewd as he looked at me. And then he took out a dagger and made a shallow cut across his palm.

"’Give me your hand,’ he said, and I held out my hand without hesitation.

"The blade slid across my palm. I was indifferent to the sting of it: I was about to gain access to a great power.

"Jayotas put his palm to mine, and I felt a jolt go through me, a feeling as if I had been kicked by a horse or perhaps struck by a thunderbolt. When my vision cleared, I used my Third-Eye-sight and saw a luminous Rishva-form joining our palms.

"’It’s a simple binding,’ he said, ‘but it should suffice. Now, come with me.’

"My heart beat in my chest as he rose from the fire. His slave-girl accompanied us, walking behind us.

"By the time he came to his tent, I had some idea of what he had in mind. My heart pounded with anticipation.

"He parted the fold and beckoned me inside. The floor was woven reed matting, and there was a bedroll.

"The girl stepped in behind us, brushed past us, and stood by the bedroll. Without a word, she took off her kilt and breech-clout and stood at the ready, fully nude, her eyes sultry and inviting.

"’You’ll have her first,’ Tudalvas said to me, ‘and I’ll follow.’

"I nodded my agreement, scarcely trusting myself to speak. ‘Yes,’ I managed at last.

"The nude slave-girl smiled and opened her arms to me. I stepped forward, my hands all thumbs as I attempted to undress.

"The girl helped me, and then she embraced me and said, ’Master Tudalvas, it will be my pleasure to initiate you.’ And she pressed her mouth to mine.

"I lay with her, conscious all the while of Jayotas’ eyes on me as I thrust within her. But I would not be deterred: this was all part of the path to the power I sought, the way back to that lake. Her eyes met mine all the while, seeming to will me on, and I felt the soft swell of her breasts against my chest.

"When I was done, the girl kissed me and then turned to accept her master. I made to rise from the bedroll, but Jayotas bade me lie where I was while he lay with his slave.

"’Stay close, Tudalvas my lad,’ he said. ‘Make it easier for her to carry us both.’

"When he was done, we both lay with the girl in between us. She put her arms around us both, and Jayotas encouraged me to touch her.

"’The powers we work with,’ he said, ‘they respond to the flows of the aura, to physical touch.’

"And so I fell asleep with my head cushioned on the slave-girl’s breast, my hand on her abdomen.

"When I opened my eyes, I beheld the great lake once more, and the hot sun of that place beat down on me as I took in the sight of the shimmering turquoise waters and the emanation mists that wafted from them. All manner of beautiful trees and flowers ringed the banks, and my eyes drank in the colors.

"I laughed at the sight, and turned to see the slave-girl at my left and Jayotas at my right. The slave-girl wore her kilt, and Jayotas was fully dressed but carried a remarkable pale-glowing blade, about the thickness of a leaf.

"’What do you think of it all, lad?’ Jayotas said to me, his keen eyes appraising me.

"And I laughed at the pleasure of it all, my spirit exulting, and I embraced the slave-girl who had brought us here and kissed her full on the mouth, the neck, and between her breasts.

Her eyes shone with pleasure, and she reached for her kilt and removed it, followed by her breech-clout. ‘Master Jayotas my owner, Master Tudalvas, this slave will be pleased to take you to Mulkavorn.’

Tudalvas shuddered as he said the strange name, paused, and eyed his