Legacy

Chapter 1 - The Golden Dawn

Golden fields stretched out into the distance, fading sunlight glinting off the tall stalks as they rippled in the wind. A young boy walked slowly through the field running his hand along the stalks, the gentle summer's breeze blowing through his pure white hair. He occasionally stopped to watch the sunlight disappearing below the horizon as he made his way to the lone stone farmhouse. In the distance the silhouette of a man crested the hill his back to the setting sun. A smile crossed the boy's face when he noticed the man, bringing a skip to his step as he quickened his pace home.

The farmhouse was filled with the scent of baking bread and a slowly simmering pot of stew. An elderly woman sat in an old rocking chair occasionally prodding the fire and finishing the preparations for supper.

"I've just seen Archon coming down the hill. Do you think that means we'll be having meat tomorrow night for dinner?" the young boy asked excitedly.

"I'm sure he's managed to get something nice from the village," she replied warmly.

"Do you think he'll take me with him on his next trip? I'd love to visit the village again. It was so much fun last time."

"Yes, if I remember correctly you had too much fun last time. But, I'm sure if you behave yourself he'll take you with him again. Now recite the first verse of the Emperor's Oath."

"Elundra chained the might of the wicked in the depths. Then Dante led the lost from purgatory to the well of souls, but fell by Corwin's blade. Cassandra took them by the hand and led them to the light. Half her children fell during the crossing before she finally laid her head to rest one last time at the base of the world. There upon her grave her eldest son Oriki founded the City of Lights and became the first emperor of the Elysium Empire."

"Very good and how many claimants to the throne did Bastila the Glutton leave?"

"Twelve sons and twelve daughters. Three sons were killed in duels. Four daughters were married off to escape the conflict. In the end Parthis the Wise claimed the throne and divided the empire into the sixteen arcs. Like rays of the sun radiating from the capital and naming each of his siblings a Caladus and responsible for ruling one arc."

"What is the honorific for a master brewer?"

"Miller."

"And the Master of the Hunt?"

"Hmm. Haggin?"

"Is that a question or an answer?"

"An answer. The Master of the Hunt is known as Haggin."

"Very good, and the etiquette of names?"

"A person's name is the whole of who they are. It is their past, present, and future, their path in life and the history of their deeds. That is why taking a false name is one of the most severe of crimes.

"When a child turns fourteen they become an adult and choose for themselves a name to represent their chosen path in life. Those who obtain rank and privilege are given an honorific name to show their status to the world. Among those of different social status it correct to use a person's honorific followed by their chosen name if you are being overly formal. Those of the same rank go by their chosen name." The boy continued.

"Excellent, now go relax. I'll have dinner on the table by the time Kane gets home."

The boy dropped down into a comfortable old chair with a dog-eared copy of the Tales of Magistar Lords, and started reading. He was barely through his second story before the door heaved open effortlessly and Archon Kane walked in, eyes appraising the room quickly before dropping a large pack on the counter. He was a tall, imposing figure with a strong but agile frame and black goatee speckled with silver. Smiling he pulled out a large chuck of smoked meat, along with several packets of dried herbs, and a small clay flask of wine. Carefully he unwrapped a small jar and put it away before pulling up a heavy wooden chair facing the door.