Stories in the series "Talisman"
# 1: Talisman Zero Part 1
Author's Note: This story takes place slightly more than a thousand years before the founding of Baranur, during the time when the Fretheod Empire is beginning to fall from the height of its power. Kendil clutched his hammock as the _Typhoon Dancer_ lurched again, and yet another shiver of fear ran through him. He opened his eyes resignedly; there was no way he could sleep through this storm. He swung his legs over the edge of the hammock and hopped the short ... [ Read More ]
# 2: Talisman Zero Part 2
Kendil lay alone on Captain Eldinan's large bed, and stared listlessly around her sparsely furnished cabin. It was about half the size of the alkaehran hold, and contained only the bed, a table against one wall, a sea chest under the table, and a private bathroom behind a door in one corner. The only decoration in the main room was a glass-chip mosaic on the opposite wall, showing a scene of water crashing onto rocks. It has been made, he ... [ Read More ]
# 3: Talisman Zero Part 3
Kendil was waiting his turn somewhat impatiently to rinse down after morning sparring practice. It had been a week since Captain Eldinan's plan to try to cheer up Nikkeus had been turned by the teraehra musician into the beginning of a trio that was working out better than any of the three of them could have dreamed. And he was anxious to get back to the captain's cabin before Eldinan's daily duty began. Of the three of them, Elin had the ... [ Read More ]
# 4: Talisman Zero Part 4
Orlebb stood at the end of the causeway and watched the bustle of activity at the docks. The _Typhoon Dancer_ had finally made it into port, and it was unlikely that the ship would leave again before late spring. Which meant that it was up to him, as castellan of Wudamund, to find places for the senior crew among the limited rooms in the keep, and arrange housing for the rest of the crew, as well as an extra squad ... [ Read More ]
# 5: Talisman Zero Part 5
Orlebb had hoped that the extra tenants at Wudamund this winter would offer him some opportunities for interesting diversions, but he had been wrong. Perhaps he shouldn't have set his sights on that interesting trio of Captain Eldinan, Alkant Kendil and Terant Nikkeus. As soon as they had taken up residence together in the master suite of the Green Tower, Orlebb had set his network of spies to gathering information for him. Of course, his network of spies was only his ... [ Read More ]
# 6: Talisman Zero Part 6
Orlebb sat in his bedroom and fumed. Nothing! Two weeks of trying, and he had received nothing except a very nice wooden bust of himself from Kendil, a kiss from Eldinan, and a flat out rejection from Nikkeus. It shouldn't be working out like this. He thought that his meeting with Kendil had gone well. There had been lots of sly innuendo; a good connection on a basic level. He had been sure that an assignation was forthcoming. But no, just ... [ Read More ]
# 7: Talisman Zero Part 7
Nikkeus ran the fine rasp once more over the edge of the small wooden wedge and fitted it between the oval of glass and the stone in the center of one of the carved falcons. There, perfect fit. He withdrew the wedge with his fingernails, dabbed it with glue, slid it back home, and tapped it with a small hammer that had a piece of felt tied around its head. Done, finally! And none too soon, either. Nikkeus sat up and ... [ Read More ]
# 8: Talisman One Part 1
Author's note: This first tale of the Talisman's rejoining takes place about 120 years after Talisman Zero. As the might of the Fretheod Empire fades in the wake of the destruction of the Yrmenweald and the loss of their primary advantage, the anhekovel, outlying territories of the Empire have become independent in all but name. But not all of these territories are content to let the Empire fade away. Bralidan, heir to the Duchy of Grahk, shone his lantern down the ... [ Read More ]
# 9: Talisman One Part 2
Nearly a moon-cycle after the confirmation signing of the Treaty of Rihelbak, Nikorah was sitting cross-legged next to her father as he presided over the seasonal all-clans meet. But she wasn't paying much attention to the proceedings. Her fingers itched to be playing something, but what occupied her mind the most was Bralidan, heir of Grahk. Even after a cycle. She couldn't believe that she was still dreaming about the good looking young man, but she couldn't seem to forget ... [ Read More ]
# 10: Talisman One Part 3
For Bralidan, the rest of that week passed both far too swiftly and agonizingly slowly. A small part of each day was occupied with attending the entertainments, such as plays, concerts, tours, a hunt, that had been arranged for the visiting delegation from the Siizhayip. The visitors were at Plethiss to request a favor of the Duke of Grahk for access to the Plains of Rihelbak. He had to do his duty as heir, and that meant standing in for ... [ Read More ]