The Tale of Valkyra and Verlinden
In a far‑distant land there is a great Mountain which is the axis of the universe, its spirit the heart of the world. And as with any heart, when it is broken it cries in pain for what has been lost, and when it is mended it cries in joy for what has been regained.
Illustration by Shaun Tan
MARIYA watched the flames of the fire dance across the Teller’s eyes. The other children of the village of Heymdell spoke in excited whispers, yet she was silent, for she had come to hear only one voice.
The Teller lifted her head and looked with burning eyes across the young audience. Mariya shivered as the old woman’s gaze met her own for one brief moment. The young girl had heard the Teller speak before, and each time she had been taken somewhere else, to places far away and to times far distant. This was what Mariya wanted more than anything else: the magic of the tale . . . the magic of the flight.
And when the Teller finally began to speak, it was with the soft tones of dusk.
"Children,”she said, “you know I have spoken of a time when the Mountain was at war with itself, of a time when Faemir fought Maelir, and even the Faemir could find no peace among themselves. The Mountain shook and cracked under the strain of disharmony. We Faemir were not a happy race in those dark days. Yet, sometimes, out of disunity fortuitous events find their substance. A heart that is split asunder can sometimes be mended. Healing can grow from battle, love
from hate, permanence from impermanence. So is the tale of the meeting of our two great leaders, Valkyra and Verlinden. Take your meaning from the tale, for in its Telling is the heart of the Faemir.”
There was barely a breath to be heard as the Telling began . . .
The Teller lifted her head and looked with burning eyes across the young audience. Mariya shivered as the old woman’s gaze met her own for one brief moment. The young girl had heard the Teller speak before, and each time she had been taken somewhere else, to places far away and to times far distant. This was what Mariya wanted more than anything else: the magic of the tale . . . the magic of the flight.
And when the Teller finally began to speak, it was with the soft tones of dusk.
"Children,”she said, “you know I have spoken of a time when the Mountain was at war with itself, of a time when Faemir fought Maelir, and even the Faemir could find no peace among themselves. The Mountain shook and cracked under the strain of disharmony. We Faemir were not a happy race in those dark days. Yet, sometimes, out of disunity fortuitous events find their substance. A heart that is split asunder can sometimes be mended. Healing can grow from battle, love
from hate, permanence from impermanence. So is the tale of the meeting of our two great leaders, Valkyra and Verlinden. Take your meaning from the tale, for in its Telling is the heart of the Faemir.”
There was barely a breath to be heard as the Telling began . . .
Praise for "The Tale of Valkyra and Verlinden"
A version of "The Tale of Valkyra and Verlinden" appeared as the Prologue of my novel Equinox - The Second Book of Ascension, which was a Finalist in the Aurealis Awards for Best Fantasy novel.
Honorable Mention in Year's Best Science Fiction 11th Annual Collection (edited by Gardner Dozois)
Buy Aurealis #12.
Buy Equinox - The Second Book of Ascension.
Honorable Mention in Year's Best Science Fiction 11th Annual Collection (edited by Gardner Dozois)
Buy Aurealis #12.
Buy Equinox - The Second Book of Ascension.
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