Chapter 1 • At Home
Talin leaned idly against the outer fence rail and watched as he slowly passed over the fluffy white top of a large cloud bank. The clouds stretched out in all directions below and around the plot of land that had been in his family for unknown generations. It was long thought that his ancestors had lived on the large chunk of rock and dirt since even before the time of the Great Separation. The caps were brightly Many ages have past since people last walked the planet before the Great Separation, but the history is fairly well known by most, handed down and retold from parent to offspring, teacher to student. Untold years ago, when the planet was whole, existed a very glorious and powerful civilization. They were quite wise and extremely knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects and sciences. Their vast technology Civilization had been eradicated, but the few that survived managed to rise from the rubble and slowly rebuild primitive isolated tribe societies. Most were wary and fearful of the ways of the past and in a time of great ignorance and mistrust, much of the technology that remained was smashed, burned and obliterated. Initially people degenerated into feral and uncivilized cultures and lived not unlike wild animals. Prior to the Age of Steam, travel amongst the floating land masses had been strictly a matter of chance and position, and required a decent amount of agility and dexterity, as well. In less civilized times, the various peoples and animals were only able to traverse from one land mass to the next when two or more came within a close distance to one another. Short gaps apart allowed them to cross over on drifting With the advent of steam power, guided flight soon became not only a possibility, but a reality. The more advanced cultures developed various types of craft that could remain aloft by diverse methods of inflated balloons, or buoyancy bags. These bags, when filled with heated air and gasses, would be able to lift objects of great weight and size. Vessels were built to transport both people and cargo from place A bright flash of light shining off in the distance amongst the swirling clouds, caught Talin’s attention. He brushed a long shock of hair from his eyes and squinted against the sunlight. A second and a third flash followed close behind, rising out of the billows. Turning on the balls of his feet, Talin skirted the steamcart loaded with jack berries and sprinted up the path that wound it’s way up Gable Hill, the second “Airships this far out of the lanes?” Talin wondered aloud to himself.
The bigger ships rarely travelled out of established shipping routes or lanes, which were quite a distance away at this time of the season. It was also uncommon to see two or more travelling so close together unless it was a military convoy or an escort of valuable or important cargo. The landmasses were countless, many of them beyond the borders of the Realm were uncharted and unexplored. There also The trio of airships made a gentle and graceful turn around a cluster of drifting rocks, allowing Talin to get a good view of them as they progressed by. The ship in the middle was nearly half the size of the other two, but had a very regal and polished appearance about it. It was an Allied Coalition Imperial Sloop and judging by its guarded position in the convoy, it perhaps carried dignitaries or even the High Chancellor He stood there for a few more moments and then trudged back across the platform and descended the ladder. He hung the spyglass back on its hook and swung closed the door on his way back down the hill. Gathering his tools, he loaded them onto cart and started the erratic steam motor. He was making his way to over to the chill house when, barely audible over the noise of the rattling motor and hisses Talin was just stowing his tools in the outer shed and parked the steamcart beside it, when again the gong sounded. His uncle had long since headed into the house to wash up and Talin could tell that Janna was getting impatient by the way that she incessantly pounded on the gong with her stirring spoon. The communal house that he shared with his entire family was dug into the side of a low hill, covered in “What were you doing out there?” She demanded, “Didn’t you hear the gong? Maybe you should go wash up better. Your ears are probably so full of dirt you’re going deaf. Why must you...”
“Janna, you hold your words and leave him alone.” Aunt Lennarra interrupted, “He does the work of two lads twice his size and knows his way around this farm like he was born to command it. Now quiet yourself and be seated.”
“And command it one day he shall!” Proclaimed his Grandfather, “Why, Talin my boy, you’ve got a gift for the ways of nature and how to interact and cooperate with the land. Finer qualities for a farmer, I couldn’t imagine. Your father has it, as does your Uncle Galvon. You’ve got a bit of the wanderer in you, much like myself in my younger days, but you, lad, of all the Gables boys that have come before you, seem “Which reminds me,” Galvon said, as he deftly ran a large knife back and forth on a sharping stake “Chill house is about at full capacity. A day or two more harvesting and it’ll be bustin’ out the rivets in the door. After that, we’ll be havin’ to fill them into all of the wash buckets and work boots we can lay our hands on.”
“I sure do value all of the hard work you and Talin have put in this season,” said Dar, straightening up in his chair “soon I’ll be off this crutch and back on my feet in no time, twice as strong.”
“You’ll be plenty rested, I can tell you that.” teased Galvon.
The smell of warm spices tinged the air as Lennarra lifted the dented, but polished cover off of a large platter of charbroiled field hen sitting on a bed of split rice, garnished with briar apples and pondcress. “It indeed has been a plentiful harvest this season.”
“One the likes I have not seen in ages.” Grandmother Chandra declared.
“I must say that I certainly cannot think of a more suitable occasion for a little after meal celebration. I just happen have some berry brandy down in the cellar that should just about be ready for a proper tasting.”
After the evening meal had been finished and the dishes cleared away, Galvon began building a fire in a large semi-circular pit at one end of the enclosed patio. Everyone gathered around and seated themselves on rough stone benches that formed a crescent around the fire pit. Frayed and faded cushions covered the benches and the backrests were made of soft woven netting. The fire began to burn bright Chandra came out the pantryway door with a wooded tray that carefully balanced a pair of brandy bottles and six cups. She set the tray down and began pouring a thick, dark burgundy liquid from one of the bottles into each of the cups. Morgon put on his reading specs and took out an old leather bound book he had stored in a chest beneath the bench. He had a bookmark made from a strip of smooth ribbon, “To a bountiful harvest, and prosperity for us all!”
Morgon, Dar, and Galvon emptied their cups in one deep swallow, but the others sipped the brandy sparingly, as it was rather strong. The men refilled their cups and Morgon started to read aloud from the book. It was an historical account about the founders of the great city known as the Citadel. It told about the beginning of the Age of Steam and how a small group of displaced travellers had used skipbridges When Morgon had finished reading a chapter describing the first major battle against the Citadel, he replaced the ribbon bookmarker, closed the pages and deposited it back into the chest under the bench.
“Imagine, if you will, Talin, my boy” his grandfather said after a quiet moment “In a few short days the season will be done and you’ll be making your grand trip to the Citadel. Yes, there’s nothing quite like the first time you get sight of it up close. I can remember my term of contribution. Serving on the flagship Pillarro was quite an adventure, one that will stay with me the rest of my days. The skies were wild and Talin was not quite convinced of his grandfathers certainty, but he did look forward, with some apprehension, to strolling amongst the wide streets and high towers of the Citadel.
“I would like to see Cartania,” he replied, displaying as much enthusiasm as he could muster, “I’ve heard all of your wonderful stories about the Citadel and I’m the only one in the family who hasn’t been there yet, and I would like to meet some new people and go somewhere I’ve never visited before. I hear Cartania is so big that you can walk for days and nights without reaching the other end.”
“It is a marvelous place, Talin!” Janna added excitedly, “The fine clothes, the shops, all of the handsome officers, and, best of all, not a berry bush in site. I want I could go back someday soon and perhaps catch the eye of some high paid Colonel or even a Major...”
Aunt Lennarra interceded the conversation. “In a seasons time, when Talin returns home from his enlistment, then you will not only have our support but our fondest wishes in finding a brave young lad to join you in your path through this life, but keep in mind that one who walks with their head in the clouds is at the mercy of the mud puddles in the road, so for now you had best keep your head out of the clouds “I saw a convoy today, far out of the lanes,” mentioned Talin, rather offhanded, “Three of them altogether. Way off of the eastern fence line. Two Heavy Warships and what looked like an Imperial Sloop.”
Galvon set down his pipe and looked at Talin with a raised eyebrow. “What would a military convoy be doing this far out of the lanes at this time of the season? There hasn’t been any trouble in this region for a long time.” He looked at Dar and then at Morgon. “You suppose maybe they were just diverting around rough weather in the lanes further east?”
“Hard to say,” answered Dar “Must be quite a brutal storm to cause a pair of warships to set a course this far beyond the lanes. Well, it’s not for us to lose much sleep about it.” He stretched his arms out wide and yawned as he lifted himself up on his crutch and headed off to bed. “Have a fine nights rest everyone. The sun will be risin’ before you know it.”
That night, Talin had a hard time getting to sleep, even though he was exhausted from working in the fields since just after sunrise. His muscles ached, but his head buzzed with a multitude of thoughts and considerations. Soon he would be leaving his family and his home for a place that he had only heard about. He had spent his entire life on Gable Hill Green and even though it was a sizable landmass, he knew The following few days produced a frenzied commotion of activity around the farm. Galvon and Talin finished working the fields until the chill house was at full capacity. Janna was even recruited to help harvest the last remaining section before the transport ship was due to arrive.
Later that evening, she helped Lennarra and Chandra prepare a special farewell feast of roasted wood hog and buttered sweet beans.
“Look at my hands!” She complained, holding them out for all to see. “I picked so many berries today their stained purple!”
“Try not to be so unpleasant, Janna,” her mother admonished, wiping a drop of sweat from her brow, “Tonight is our last evening meal with Talin before he goes away to the Academy and I will not have his parting memories tarnished with you concerning yourself about a little berry juice.”
“Calm yourself, my dear,” said Chandra, “A good soak in warm salted vinegar and some honeybark and it will come right off. I can remember when you were a little girl, you used to love picking a big bucket of jack berries, smashing them all up in your palms and using it to paint on grandfather’s fence posts with your fingertips.”
The family ate quietly, their usual casual meal conversations seemed frivolous on this night. When they had finished, they all gathered around the fire, but Morgon did not reach for his reading specs nor his book. Galvon finally broke the silence.
“Talin, has your old pap ever told you about our time in service?”
“No one cares to hear about greasy tools and dusty old maps, Galvon.” laughed Dar, “Let’s not put everyone to sleep with tall tales of insignificant trivia.”
Galvon steadfastly continued, “Your father was assigned to the Ministry of Engineering and I went to the Ministry of Cartography.”
“I was a Steam Boiler Mechanic and your uncle was a Map Maker. I spent most of my time sweating in some dank, grimy boiler room while he was tucked away in a musty chamber full of charts and scrolls. Times have changed since when your grandfather served. Most of the nations that once fought against us have since joined the Coalition. Airship duty is reserved mainly for dignitary excursions and transport “It’s not as boring and tedious as he makes it sound, Talin. The Coalition will keep you real busy, I can assure you that.” Galvon interjected, “First will come your educational training and skill placement. Then you’ll get your assignment and before you know it the seasons have come full circle and you’ll be back here at home helpin’ me and your pap out in the fields.”
“And I’ll be able to take your place on that transport ship out of here and back to the Citadel. I want to reapply for my position at the Ministry of Commerce and mingle my way amongst the Officers and Chancellors at all of the fancy ballroom dances and the grand banquets.” blurted Janna.
The room went silent for a moment as everyone looked at her with an odd sort of glare. She felt a little embarrassed for her outburst and gave them the best smile that she could muster.
“I apologize. It’s been a long day and I suppose I’m just rather tired. I think I’ll go to my room and get some sleep now. Good night to you all.”
“We should all get a fine night’s worth of rest,” Morgon stated as he rose and twisted his neck back and forth, rubbing it with the palm of his hand. “Janna’s right. It has been a long day, it will be another one tomorrow and young Talin still needs to pack. I suggest we greet the day nice and refreshed for when we see him off. Good evening, all.”
Chandra and Lennarra each gave Talin a kiss on the forehead and headed indoors as well.
Galvon lingered for a moment, “Don’t worry lad, keep yourself busy and the time will pass real quick. See you at sunrise.”
The embers of the fire glowed dimly and Talin started to go inside.
“Good night, Pap.”
“Talin, before you go off to bed, I have something I would like you to have.” Dar reached into his pants pocket and withdrew his hand in a loosely clenched fist. “This is my combo-tool from my time of service. I used this tool quite often. It’s a rather useful instrument, actually. You’ve seen me use it now and then on the machinery. Well, I just thought if you were to draw an engineers assignment, that it might be “Thank you, father. I know how much this combo-tool means to you. What if I’m not assigned the the Ministry of Engineering? What if I get map making like uncle Galvon? The only tools I’ll need there are pens and measure rods.”
“Nonsense. It has many uses and you never can tell when you may need it. Trust in my words. There will come a time when you are glad that you have it. Now, off to bed, son. Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long, hectic day.”
Later that night, Talin sat in his room packing a tattered and well travelled footlocker with the few meager items that he would need for his trip to Cartania. When he was done he sat on the edge of his bed and looked at his own hands, turning them over and again. He had never really given it much regard. His hands were strong and weathered from seasons in the field. They were also stained a deep shade of purple.
The bigger ships rarely travelled out of established shipping routes or lanes, which were quite a distance away at this time of the season. It was also uncommon to see two or more travelling so close together unless it was a military convoy or an escort of valuable or important cargo. The landmasses were countless, many of them beyond the borders of the Realm were uncharted and unexplored. There also The trio of airships made a gentle and graceful turn around a cluster of drifting rocks, allowing Talin to get a good view of them as they progressed by. The ship in the middle was nearly half the size of the other two, but had a very regal and polished appearance about it. It was an Allied Coalition Imperial Sloop and judging by its guarded position in the convoy, it perhaps carried dignitaries or even the High Chancellor He stood there for a few more moments and then trudged back across the platform and descended the ladder. He hung the spyglass back on its hook and swung closed the door on his way back down the hill. Gathering his tools, he loaded them onto cart and started the erratic steam motor. He was making his way to over to the chill house when, barely audible over the noise of the rattling motor and hisses Talin was just stowing his tools in the outer shed and parked the steamcart beside it, when again the gong sounded. His uncle had long since headed into the house to wash up and Talin could tell that Janna was getting impatient by the way that she incessantly pounded on the gong with her stirring spoon. The communal house that he shared with his entire family was dug into the side of a low hill, covered in “What were you doing out there?” She demanded, “Didn’t you hear the gong? Maybe you should go wash up better. Your ears are probably so full of dirt you’re going deaf. Why must you...”
“Janna, you hold your words and leave him alone.” Aunt Lennarra interrupted, “He does the work of two lads twice his size and knows his way around this farm like he was born to command it. Now quiet yourself and be seated.”
“And command it one day he shall!” Proclaimed his Grandfather, “Why, Talin my boy, you’ve got a gift for the ways of nature and how to interact and cooperate with the land. Finer qualities for a farmer, I couldn’t imagine. Your father has it, as does your Uncle Galvon. You’ve got a bit of the wanderer in you, much like myself in my younger days, but you, lad, of all the Gables boys that have come before you, seem “Which reminds me,” Galvon said, as he deftly ran a large knife back and forth on a sharping stake “Chill house is about at full capacity. A day or two more harvesting and it’ll be bustin’ out the rivets in the door. After that, we’ll be havin’ to fill them into all of the wash buckets and work boots we can lay our hands on.”
“I sure do value all of the hard work you and Talin have put in this season,” said Dar, straightening up in his chair “soon I’ll be off this crutch and back on my feet in no time, twice as strong.”
“You’ll be plenty rested, I can tell you that.” teased Galvon.
The smell of warm spices tinged the air as Lennarra lifted the dented, but polished cover off of a large platter of charbroiled field hen sitting on a bed of split rice, garnished with briar apples and pondcress. “It indeed has been a plentiful harvest this season.”
“One the likes I have not seen in ages.” Grandmother Chandra declared.
“I must say that I certainly cannot think of a more suitable occasion for a little after meal celebration. I just happen have some berry brandy down in the cellar that should just about be ready for a proper tasting.”
After the evening meal had been finished and the dishes cleared away, Galvon began building a fire in a large semi-circular pit at one end of the enclosed patio. Everyone gathered around and seated themselves on rough stone benches that formed a crescent around the fire pit. Frayed and faded cushions covered the benches and the backrests were made of soft woven netting. The fire began to burn bright Chandra came out the pantryway door with a wooded tray that carefully balanced a pair of brandy bottles and six cups. She set the tray down and began pouring a thick, dark burgundy liquid from one of the bottles into each of the cups. Morgon put on his reading specs and took out an old leather bound book he had stored in a chest beneath the bench. He had a bookmark made from a strip of smooth ribbon, “To a bountiful harvest, and prosperity for us all!”
Morgon, Dar, and Galvon emptied their cups in one deep swallow, but the others sipped the brandy sparingly, as it was rather strong. The men refilled their cups and Morgon started to read aloud from the book. It was an historical account about the founders of the great city known as the Citadel. It told about the beginning of the Age of Steam and how a small group of displaced travellers had used skipbridges When Morgon had finished reading a chapter describing the first major battle against the Citadel, he replaced the ribbon bookmarker, closed the pages and deposited it back into the chest under the bench.
“Imagine, if you will, Talin, my boy” his grandfather said after a quiet moment “In a few short days the season will be done and you’ll be making your grand trip to the Citadel. Yes, there’s nothing quite like the first time you get sight of it up close. I can remember my term of contribution. Serving on the flagship Pillarro was quite an adventure, one that will stay with me the rest of my days. The skies were wild and Talin was not quite convinced of his grandfathers certainty, but he did look forward, with some apprehension, to strolling amongst the wide streets and high towers of the Citadel.
“I would like to see Cartania,” he replied, displaying as much enthusiasm as he could muster, “I’ve heard all of your wonderful stories about the Citadel and I’m the only one in the family who hasn’t been there yet, and I would like to meet some new people and go somewhere I’ve never visited before. I hear Cartania is so big that you can walk for days and nights without reaching the other end.”
“It is a marvelous place, Talin!” Janna added excitedly, “The fine clothes, the shops, all of the handsome officers, and, best of all, not a berry bush in site. I want I could go back someday soon and perhaps catch the eye of some high paid Colonel or even a Major...”
Aunt Lennarra interceded the conversation. “In a seasons time, when Talin returns home from his enlistment, then you will not only have our support but our fondest wishes in finding a brave young lad to join you in your path through this life, but keep in mind that one who walks with their head in the clouds is at the mercy of the mud puddles in the road, so for now you had best keep your head out of the clouds “I saw a convoy today, far out of the lanes,” mentioned Talin, rather offhanded, “Three of them altogether. Way off of the eastern fence line. Two Heavy Warships and what looked like an Imperial Sloop.”
Galvon set down his pipe and looked at Talin with a raised eyebrow. “What would a military convoy be doing this far out of the lanes at this time of the season? There hasn’t been any trouble in this region for a long time.” He looked at Dar and then at Morgon. “You suppose maybe they were just diverting around rough weather in the lanes further east?”
“Hard to say,” answered Dar “Must be quite a brutal storm to cause a pair of warships to set a course this far beyond the lanes. Well, it’s not for us to lose much sleep about it.” He stretched his arms out wide and yawned as he lifted himself up on his crutch and headed off to bed. “Have a fine nights rest everyone. The sun will be risin’ before you know it.”
That night, Talin had a hard time getting to sleep, even though he was exhausted from working in the fields since just after sunrise. His muscles ached, but his head buzzed with a multitude of thoughts and considerations. Soon he would be leaving his family and his home for a place that he had only heard about. He had spent his entire life on Gable Hill Green and even though it was a sizable landmass, he knew The following few days produced a frenzied commotion of activity around the farm. Galvon and Talin finished working the fields until the chill house was at full capacity. Janna was even recruited to help harvest the last remaining section before the transport ship was due to arrive.
Later that evening, she helped Lennarra and Chandra prepare a special farewell feast of roasted wood hog and buttered sweet beans.
“Look at my hands!” She complained, holding them out for all to see. “I picked so many berries today their stained purple!”
“Try not to be so unpleasant, Janna,” her mother admonished, wiping a drop of sweat from her brow, “Tonight is our last evening meal with Talin before he goes away to the Academy and I will not have his parting memories tarnished with you concerning yourself about a little berry juice.”
“Calm yourself, my dear,” said Chandra, “A good soak in warm salted vinegar and some honeybark and it will come right off. I can remember when you were a little girl, you used to love picking a big bucket of jack berries, smashing them all up in your palms and using it to paint on grandfather’s fence posts with your fingertips.”
The family ate quietly, their usual casual meal conversations seemed frivolous on this night. When they had finished, they all gathered around the fire, but Morgon did not reach for his reading specs nor his book. Galvon finally broke the silence.
“Talin, has your old pap ever told you about our time in service?”
“No one cares to hear about greasy tools and dusty old maps, Galvon.” laughed Dar, “Let’s not put everyone to sleep with tall tales of insignificant trivia.”
Galvon steadfastly continued, “Your father was assigned to the Ministry of Engineering and I went to the Ministry of Cartography.”
“I was a Steam Boiler Mechanic and your uncle was a Map Maker. I spent most of my time sweating in some dank, grimy boiler room while he was tucked away in a musty chamber full of charts and scrolls. Times have changed since when your grandfather served. Most of the nations that once fought against us have since joined the Coalition. Airship duty is reserved mainly for dignitary excursions and transport “It’s not as boring and tedious as he makes it sound, Talin. The Coalition will keep you real busy, I can assure you that.” Galvon interjected, “First will come your educational training and skill placement. Then you’ll get your assignment and before you know it the seasons have come full circle and you’ll be back here at home helpin’ me and your pap out in the fields.”
“And I’ll be able to take your place on that transport ship out of here and back to the Citadel. I want to reapply for my position at the Ministry of Commerce and mingle my way amongst the Officers and Chancellors at all of the fancy ballroom dances and the grand banquets.” blurted Janna.
The room went silent for a moment as everyone looked at her with an odd sort of glare. She felt a little embarrassed for her outburst and gave them the best smile that she could muster.
“I apologize. It’s been a long day and I suppose I’m just rather tired. I think I’ll go to my room and get some sleep now. Good night to you all.”
“We should all get a fine night’s worth of rest,” Morgon stated as he rose and twisted his neck back and forth, rubbing it with the palm of his hand. “Janna’s right. It has been a long day, it will be another one tomorrow and young Talin still needs to pack. I suggest we greet the day nice and refreshed for when we see him off. Good evening, all.”
Chandra and Lennarra each gave Talin a kiss on the forehead and headed indoors as well.
Galvon lingered for a moment, “Don’t worry lad, keep yourself busy and the time will pass real quick. See you at sunrise.”
The embers of the fire glowed dimly and Talin started to go inside.
“Good night, Pap.”
“Talin, before you go off to bed, I have something I would like you to have.” Dar reached into his pants pocket and withdrew his hand in a loosely clenched fist. “This is my combo-tool from my time of service. I used this tool quite often. It’s a rather useful instrument, actually. You’ve seen me use it now and then on the machinery. Well, I just thought if you were to draw an engineers assignment, that it might be “Thank you, father. I know how much this combo-tool means to you. What if I’m not assigned the the Ministry of Engineering? What if I get map making like uncle Galvon? The only tools I’ll need there are pens and measure rods.”
“Nonsense. It has many uses and you never can tell when you may need it. Trust in my words. There will come a time when you are glad that you have it. Now, off to bed, son. Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long, hectic day.”
Later that night, Talin sat in his room packing a tattered and well travelled footlocker with the few meager items that he would need for his trip to Cartania. When he was done he sat on the edge of his bed and looked at his own hands, turning them over and again. He had never really given it much regard. His hands were strong and weathered from seasons in the field. They were also stained a deep shade of purple.