Ready to march (ILFIN excerpt)

 

21

  

The warrior’s path creates chaos

Glonu War Manual

  

AFTER NEGOTIATING THE path down to the plain, Damin looked back. Soldiers stood on the edge of the plateau, most dismounted. He sensed not only anger, but disquiet. Some of them had to be wondering what the future now held. They were literally at every precipice there was.

His gaze descended to their own lowered level. The magical web had elongated to a barrier many miles in width. Even the most intrepid soldier on the swiftest horse would not haul in an edge before it had moved beyond his reach. They were indeed safe from all threats to their rear.

Damin wondered next how long it would remain with them. They needed now to deal with what lay ahead, however, and thus he transferred his study to the great emptiness spread before them. Many rivers needed crossing, also large tracks of dunes, much rough and rocky turf, even marshes. The place had it all, and it would test endurance.

It might kill some.

Mirlin, after discussion, moved back to the head of the column, pushing the horse he appropriated from the Messengers. He shook Horin’s hand solemnly before going, a mark of respect. The man was a tracker also and had already crossed this emptiness. Damin left him to do the leading; he would discover the sure-footed way.

Far in the distance he noticed smudges on the horizon. That would be the mountains surrounding Arc. By the stars, they needed make haste. It appeared unattainable.

Before he kneed Forest forward again, he looked up.

It was past midday and the cloud cover had retreated somewhat. The glare shifting through errant wisps was intense, and already he felt the heat building. Soon they would wish the wet season followed with them. The orb they sought to escape was dim in the brightness, but the fact that it was now visible in daytime proved sobering. It would follow them across the plain, growing every larger and in brilliance.

The soldiers were looking up also, and he sighed. As Mirlin said, they had to make their own choices. He had done his duty for the world as he had known it. What lay above on the plateau was now no longer his concern. Years of planning and soul searching went into reaching this point of march. While they were behind schedule, Lyra was not, and thus they had to look only ahead now.

“Come, Damin,” Horin murmured. He pointed, and Damin kneed Forest forward.

Come, reader, join the great march today …

 According to legend, a paradise awaits across the plains, a sanctuary that has survived every impact and every battle. Known as Arc, it is a place of isolation, a place to restart civilisation.

 A fireball grows ever larger in the skies and ancient enemies wing through the spaces; the world Massin is the gathering place for every omen of disaster. Every resident soul faces a choice. Time now to march south to the sanctuary, from the eastern highlands and the western seas, there to escape apocalypse, and the renewal of the war between the Ilfin and Glonu, or stay behind, hoping for a miracle.

 An Elemental will find the sanctuary – Lyra is gifted – a Warrior will defend the dispossessed – the boy Horin will grow up fast – and a Marsh Devil will lead them – Damin spends years preparing for this epic event – but it is also true that a sanctuary is not always a haven. Has the legend lied? Will Arc protect them?

 Prepare for an adventure that will journey from ancient ways of living into high-tech environments. Ilfin of Arc is a dystopian Fantasy tale that flies into star filled spaces – strap in!

ILFIN OF ARC