Post by wes1179 on May 3, 2011 20:14:58 GMT -8
This is the beginning of Chapter 1 of the novel I am working on. It is set in a world called Tyrion. In this world everyone is tied to the elements. Each person is born with a mark denoting which element has claimed them. Some people have minor affinities with the elements. Others have greater. These people usually become priests of the Elemental Temples and some the affinity is so great they become Elemental Lords, the militant arm of the priesthood. Please let me know what you think.
Chapter 1
The Novices
Tyrion 1655 c.e.
The ship made its way through the final stretch of icy water and passed into the temple shield. The temperature warmed and the skies got a little clearer as the captain and his crew brought the acolytes into port.
“There she be ladies and gentlemen,”shouted the captain. “Your new home. Welcome to Temple Isle and the Temple of the Elements.”
“Thank you for the dramatic introduction Captain Alta” dryly stated a priest “but I ask you not to get their hopes too high. For the new ones have many years of hard toil ahead of them.”
“My apologies Brother Zacharias. I did not mean to excite them.”
“You are forgive Captain. Now get us to the dock safely.”
“Yes Brother.”
The ship bristled with activity as the crew prepared to draw her into the dock. They lowered and secured the sails and brought out the hooks to guide the ship into her berth. As they pulled up alongside the stone quay some of the crew scaled down rope ladders that had been flung over the side, taking ropes with them and began tying the ship up to the quay. The sea anchor was dropped and it brought the ship to a grinding halt. The ship was then secured in port and the gang plank was lowered. The acolytes followed the brothers down the gang plank with their bags in hand. At the head of the quay were carts for the acolytes and carriages for the brothers to take them to the Temple compound as quickly as possible. The weather had delayed the voyage from the last port in Solas so the ship, that should have arrived at dawn was arriving well past mid day. The testing would have to be done with speed so that the novices would be sorted from the acolytes before dusk.
The carriages and carts rolled up the high street and through the temple town rather quickly. They reached the gates of the Temple in a half hour and made their way to the palace of the Elemental Lords in the far end of the compound. When they arrived all the masters and the Five Heads were waiting in front of the palace in full ceremonial armor. This was more to impress the acolytes than anything else. Each master was arrayed behind his head and they looked like a off colored rainbow. The greens of Earth Lords clashed with the reds of the Fire Lords, who in turn stood out against the snow white of the Spirit Lords. The Air and Water lords were the only ones to complement each other. Air Lords in their sky blue and Water Lords in their midnight blue.
“All right you lot,” began Brother Gregor “get off your duffs and down here in front of the Lords. Pair off with your element and kneel before that Head.”
The acolytes did as they told rather rapidly but it was still a moment of chaos. When all was settled, the Heads withdrew their weapons. Each Head carried the weapon of the first Elemental Lords, or so it was said. These weapons supposedly would help the Heads be able to determine which one of the acolytes were fit to be Elemental Lords. How exactly this worked none but the Heads themselves knew.
“A small group this year” remarked Head Cadyis, Air Lady.
“Yes Cadyis, they get smaller and smaller. I hope this isn't a sign” replied Head Marius, Spirit Lord.
“Just get to your task and we will discuss it later” commanded Head Sephie, Fire Lady.
The Heads moved through the groups kneeled before them. Holding their weapon above each acolyte's head. Fire found its novice first. A boy of 12 with flame red hair and emerald green eyes. Air soon followed with a blonde girl of 11 with ice blue eyes and a willowy build. Earth and Water came almost simultaneously. Earth's novice was a boy of 13 who was taller than his age. Standing almost 6 foot with broad shoulders and dark brownish-black hair. Water's novice was another boy of 11 with silver gray eyes and ash blonde locks. Spirit's novice was the very last one. She was a waspish girl of 12 with auburn hair and piercing hazel eyes.
“Alright, so we have our chosen ones.” began Head Sephie. “You five go get your things off the carts. Brothers you may take the rest to their appointed palaces.”
The five novices ran to the carts and got their bundles out of them. They scurried back to the masters and followed them inside the palace. The other acolytes got back up on the wagons and looked back with envy at the five who would be taught the ways of Elemental Lords and wondered if they could have been as well.
Entering the main hall of the palace the novices looked around in awe and wonder. Even though the building was austere and sparsely decorated it was still a solid building that showed the respect demanded of the Lords.
“You five wait here. The adepts will come to you in a few minutes and take you upstairs to your dormitory. They will get you outfitted in novice's robes and give you the run down on how the days run here in the palace. Dinner will be at 6 and after the meal tonight your Head will take you for testing to see the extent of your abilities.” briskly stated Head Marius, as he and the masters and other Heads strode off to different parts of the palace.
Chapter 1
The Novices
Tyrion 1655 c.e.
The ship made its way through the final stretch of icy water and passed into the temple shield. The temperature warmed and the skies got a little clearer as the captain and his crew brought the acolytes into port.
“There she be ladies and gentlemen,”shouted the captain. “Your new home. Welcome to Temple Isle and the Temple of the Elements.”
“Thank you for the dramatic introduction Captain Alta” dryly stated a priest “but I ask you not to get their hopes too high. For the new ones have many years of hard toil ahead of them.”
“My apologies Brother Zacharias. I did not mean to excite them.”
“You are forgive Captain. Now get us to the dock safely.”
“Yes Brother.”
The ship bristled with activity as the crew prepared to draw her into the dock. They lowered and secured the sails and brought out the hooks to guide the ship into her berth. As they pulled up alongside the stone quay some of the crew scaled down rope ladders that had been flung over the side, taking ropes with them and began tying the ship up to the quay. The sea anchor was dropped and it brought the ship to a grinding halt. The ship was then secured in port and the gang plank was lowered. The acolytes followed the brothers down the gang plank with their bags in hand. At the head of the quay were carts for the acolytes and carriages for the brothers to take them to the Temple compound as quickly as possible. The weather had delayed the voyage from the last port in Solas so the ship, that should have arrived at dawn was arriving well past mid day. The testing would have to be done with speed so that the novices would be sorted from the acolytes before dusk.
The carriages and carts rolled up the high street and through the temple town rather quickly. They reached the gates of the Temple in a half hour and made their way to the palace of the Elemental Lords in the far end of the compound. When they arrived all the masters and the Five Heads were waiting in front of the palace in full ceremonial armor. This was more to impress the acolytes than anything else. Each master was arrayed behind his head and they looked like a off colored rainbow. The greens of Earth Lords clashed with the reds of the Fire Lords, who in turn stood out against the snow white of the Spirit Lords. The Air and Water lords were the only ones to complement each other. Air Lords in their sky blue and Water Lords in their midnight blue.
“All right you lot,” began Brother Gregor “get off your duffs and down here in front of the Lords. Pair off with your element and kneel before that Head.”
The acolytes did as they told rather rapidly but it was still a moment of chaos. When all was settled, the Heads withdrew their weapons. Each Head carried the weapon of the first Elemental Lords, or so it was said. These weapons supposedly would help the Heads be able to determine which one of the acolytes were fit to be Elemental Lords. How exactly this worked none but the Heads themselves knew.
“A small group this year” remarked Head Cadyis, Air Lady.
“Yes Cadyis, they get smaller and smaller. I hope this isn't a sign” replied Head Marius, Spirit Lord.
“Just get to your task and we will discuss it later” commanded Head Sephie, Fire Lady.
The Heads moved through the groups kneeled before them. Holding their weapon above each acolyte's head. Fire found its novice first. A boy of 12 with flame red hair and emerald green eyes. Air soon followed with a blonde girl of 11 with ice blue eyes and a willowy build. Earth and Water came almost simultaneously. Earth's novice was a boy of 13 who was taller than his age. Standing almost 6 foot with broad shoulders and dark brownish-black hair. Water's novice was another boy of 11 with silver gray eyes and ash blonde locks. Spirit's novice was the very last one. She was a waspish girl of 12 with auburn hair and piercing hazel eyes.
“Alright, so we have our chosen ones.” began Head Sephie. “You five go get your things off the carts. Brothers you may take the rest to their appointed palaces.”
The five novices ran to the carts and got their bundles out of them. They scurried back to the masters and followed them inside the palace. The other acolytes got back up on the wagons and looked back with envy at the five who would be taught the ways of Elemental Lords and wondered if they could have been as well.
Entering the main hall of the palace the novices looked around in awe and wonder. Even though the building was austere and sparsely decorated it was still a solid building that showed the respect demanded of the Lords.
“You five wait here. The adepts will come to you in a few minutes and take you upstairs to your dormitory. They will get you outfitted in novice's robes and give you the run down on how the days run here in the palace. Dinner will be at 6 and after the meal tonight your Head will take you for testing to see the extent of your abilities.” briskly stated Head Marius, as he and the masters and other Heads strode off to different parts of the palace.