Danoh-Town
A city from the Dustsong Cycle—and a story fragment from the first epoch
The city of Danoh-town, also called Danoh, was the center of commerce and seat of government for the Children of the Garden during the first epoch.
Desert-folk invaders built Danoh-town in the foothills of the upper Fangs, along the River Kaelii. Its high outer walls formed a square, but the streets within were laid out in concentric circles. The exception was a broad street leading from the main, southwestern gate to the smaller, northeastern gate. From its founding, Danoh-town was organized into quarters, with the palace at the center. Motifs from particular desert-folk clans adorned the architecture of each quarter. Massive cisterns outside the city supplied its populace with water.
Danoh Lenson was the city’s namesake and first monarch. By the end of the first epoch, the house of the king’s eldest son ruled the city. This prince brazenly sought to exert control over his brothers’ folk, in the countryside and the western reaches. Scruples about low means or dangerous allies posed little obstacle to these ambitions.
“Watcher on the Wall” (from the Dustsong Cycle, first epoch)
Ariios jolted awake. He had slumped onto a crenel and dropped his spear against the battlement. How long? Hastily, he pushed himself upright. Fool self, dozing like that. If the captain had seen me, I would be in the stocks for a seven-day. He snatched up his spear, straightened his leather cap, and tried to blink the cobwebs from his eyes. Or the wastes, if he were feeling disagreeable.
A star blazed across the night sky. He blinked again. Several others followed in its wake. This is no vestige of sleep.
Lightning flashed high in the darkling dome, from cloud to cloud, until it culminated in a brilliant starburst. What in the Serpent’s scaly hide? A shower of light fell from the heaven-realm like drooping willow boughs.
When the unearthly cascade had subsided, and all the stars dissipated into the dark valley below the Fangs, Ariios snapped his mouth shut. On a sudden, finding the captain directly seemed a sound notion.
Author Note
Whaddayaknow—push come to shove, I can write a shortish snippet. Thanks for reading!
I also encourage you to check out “Peace and Quiet,” Michael John Petty’s latest post on family, writing, and worthwhile living.
Hey, thanks for the shout out!