Manorborn: The Battles Between

Chapter 1

Among the multiplicity of worlds that exist along The Way, there is one that shimmers and shines like the finest of blue gems amidst the stars of the heavens.

This is a world of blue and azure waters, rippling and waving beneath great breezes and winds, a world of water where there are such great depths in the mighty oceans that entire mountain ranges exist many leagues under the surface of the water. Surface lands are rare, seeming as mere specks dotted here and there among the cerulean expanse. Those islands are places on which the powerful dwell, the largest of which was the capital of the water dominated world.

This is the world of Maa, called Deluge by some, the planet of many waters.

The one who ruled this world was called the King or Queen of Sails, and their word was regarded as law by all who lived, sailed and dwelt on the ocean world. Their dweling was the largest of the islands, called Khoone, and the home, a mighty fort set atop the highest peak on the land, looked out over six fine villages, each village set on the coast and possessed of a mighty harbour for the great ships that came their land. Trade, adventure, commerce, were all a part and parcel of the life of those on Khoone, as it was on all the islands, as well as upon the great sailing cities that floated about the currents and waves of the world.

At one time, the King or Queen of Sails was chosen by the people, for the captains of ships and sailing cities gathered at several times throughout the given year to consult, discuss, and debate matters of significance to all. Then, it changed and one family came to rule the world, with the King or Queen now being the first born of the current ruler, and a hereditary rule as established.

This went on for centuries and, as will be, some rulers were good and fair, much loved by the people, and some were not, for this is the way of things; humans will ever be varied in their nature, and their actions will reflect this. Thus it has ever been, and thus it shall ever be. But, overall, the world was good, and the people were happy.

Then, came Darkness.

He came subtly, quietly, working slowly through craft and beguiling words. At first, he appeared as friend, then counselor, confidant to the one who ruled. Then, when he was ready and his time was right, he struck down the King, and took his the rule from him. He set himself upon the Throne of Seas, and took the title of King of Sails for himself.

Then, did Maa become the home and central point for the one who called himself, Lord Almakhadie, Left Hand of Darkness, the Master of Lies and Deceits. The azure oceans became dark and full of monsters, what had once been seas of life and high adventure became dangerous and deadly. The bright gem of the world darkened and dimmed under the reign of a Hight Lord of Darkness.

But it was not fully Dark, not fully given to blackness and bereft of Light.

Darkness is strong, but it cannot fully overcome Light.

There was an ember in the darkness that covered Maa, a light the darkness could not overcome.

Among the darkened waters sailed those who refused to bend the knee to Almkhadie, who had fought him for years, decades, and would continue to do so as their parents had done before them, and theirs before that. Where Darkness rules, there will ever be those who Stand against it, those who will serve Light and seek to bring it forth in full.

On Maa, those who stood with the Light were branded as enemies of the crown and labeled as pirates. They were hunted and hounded at all times, struck down when possible, often in horrific ways, in an effort to remove their thorn from Almakhadie's side.

Yet, they persisted.

Their presence became the stuff of legends, for what they took from the crown in their raids and attacks on vessels they gave to those in need, sharing with one another in full community. So, they were hailed in towns and sailing cities, hidden when possible, and became the stuff of stories and songs.