Annals: Year 15
A story fragment and codex entry from the Dustsong Cycle—and more
From the Annals of the Vaporous Realms
The second son of Ghrem and Lae recalled the time he heard the voice of the Wright upon the mountain slope. Sceg resolved to climb the tallest Fang in search of a bridge to the heaven-realm. His elder brother, Len, joined him in hopes of discovering the birthplace of their folk. The brothers became separated in their trek, whereupon Len met a dark-haired stranger who spoke of hidden things. Meanwhile, Sceg encountered a ruddy-haired being whom he recognized as a Scion of the Wright. Neither youth found what he expected or fulfilled his quest, but each returned with a gift: Len, a vine cutting for his garden, and Sceg, a shepherd's crook. And for a year and a day thereafter, Sceg did not speak a word aloud to any soul.
Codex: Prowler
A prowler was one of several varieties of great cat, such as spotted prowlers of the mountain forests, long-toothed prowlers of the lowlands and wastes, diminutive brush prowlers, cave prowlers of the frosty north, and prollers (prowlers of the hollow) of the Fledgling World. These predators were a menace to aurochses and other critters of the herd. Notable for their orneriness, prowlers were too fickle and intractable to be of much use to human-folk. The Redeemed kingdoms inherited the term prowler from the Elder World, while the Waveborne had their own names for these beasts. For instance, the Southrons referred to the largest prollers, those sturdy enough to bear a warrior of sufficient daring, as ridge-cats.
Author Note
Here are my enthusiastic recommendations for this week, from Substack authors who know how to turn a phrase:
“When Devils Play in the Pale Moonlight” by Bam Boncher
“Recompense and Coin: The Third Anecdote of the Samyuzot” by Eric Falden
Happy reading, y’all!